Millie Bobby Brown Pays Tribute to Godzilla Co-Star Kaylee Hottle After Her Death at 18

Millie Bobby Brown has paid tribute to actress Kaylee Hottle, who died Tuesday at the age of 18 following a car crash in Ijamsville, Maryland.

Brown shared a black-and-white photo of Hottle holding a King Kong toy and wrote, “I’m so devastated to hear this. You will be deeply missed Kaylee.”

Hottle’s father, Joshua Hottle, told TMZ that she died on the way to the hospital after the crash. He later shared on Facebook Live, using American Sign Language, that he was traveling from Texas to Maryland to bring her home.

Hottle, who was deaf, was best known for playing Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024). Her character communicated with Kong through American Sign Language and was later adopted by Dr. Ilene Andrews, played by Rebecca Hall.

Rebecca Hall also honored Hottle by sharing photos from the film sets, writing that she was devastated by the loss and sending condolences to her family.

Oscar-winning actress and Deaf advocate Marlee Matlin said she was “absolutely gutted” by Hottle’s death, adding that her “beauty and talent” would be remembered.

Hottle received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Younger Performer in a Film for her role in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.