Kaylee Hottle, an 18-year-old deaf actress, has passed away. Her father, Joshua Hottle, told TMZ that she died on July 21st following a car accident in Maryland. Sadly, her heart stopped while she was being transported to the hospital.
Joshua Hottle shared the difficult news in a 23-minute livestream, using American Sign Language. He explained he’s traveling from Texas to Maryland to bring his daughter home. “This is a trip no parent wants to make,” he expressed.
Kaylee Hottle is an actress who gained recognition for her role as Jia in the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong. Her character, a child from Skull Island, used sign language to communicate with King Kong. She also had a part in the reboot of Magnum P.I., appearing as Joon in one episode during Season 4.
Kaylee Hottle grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of a deaf family. She began her acting career at age nine with appearances in videos promoting the Glide and Convo apps – both popular within the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. These videos brought her to the attention of casting director Sarah Halley Finn, ultimately leading to her role in Godzilla vs. Kong.
In a 2024 interview, Hottle explained that he initially worked on a commercial with Convo. While filming, an assistant director from Kong: Skull Island noticed him and felt he was a good fit for the role of Jia.
When Hottle was sixteen, he was a student at the Texas School for the Deaf. He describes it as a fantastic place for deaf students, explaining that he had teachers who were also deaf and could easily communicate with everyone using sign language.
It’s great to see so much progress, but there aren’t many acting roles or opportunities available for deaf actors. I’m happy to be creating those opportunities, and I’ve definitely noticed things are becoming more positive and inclusive.
The Texas School for the Deaf shared a message on social media after hearing about Hottle’s passing. It said:
It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of Kaylee Hottle’s passing. Kaylee, a senior at TSD, tragically died in a car accident in Frederick, Maryland, yesterday. We are heartbroken for her family, friends, classmates, and all who knew and loved her. We currently have limited details and ask that you respect the family’s privacy and avoid sharing rumors or speculation about the accident. We understand this loss will deeply affect the entire TSD community. Counseling and support services are available for students and staff, with extra support offered to Kaylee’s friends and classmates. Please keep Kaylee’s loved ones in your thoughts as we grieve together.
2026-07-21 18:50