Kaylee Hottle, the deaf actress known for playing Jia in the "Godzilla" films, has died at 18, Fox News Digital confirmed.
According to Fox News, Hottle died Tuesday morning following a car Accident in Maryland, according to her father, Joshua Hottle.
TMZ reported that her father said during an American Sign Language livestream that he traveled from Texas to claim his daughter's body.
Joshua Hottle said he was told Kaylee had been involved in a car Accident. He later learned that her heart stopped while she was being taken to the hospital.
Hottle was born in Virginia into a multigenerational deaf family.
Before making her feature film debut, she appeared in commercials and advocacy projects focused on deaf awareness.
Her breakthrough came in 2021 when she was cast as Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong."
The role made Hottle the first deaf actress to play a major character in the franchise's "MonsterVerse."
Hottle returned to the role three years later in "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire."
Her character's connection with Kong remained central to the story, and the sequel expanded Jia's role while continuing to showcase Hottle's use of sign language.
Hottle's performance as Jia, a deaf girl who develops a unique bond with Kong, earned praise for its authentic representation.
Her work also helped bring greater attention to the importance of including deaf actors in major Hollywood productions.
Outside of acting, Hottle was involved in efforts to promote deaf awareness and greater representation in entertainment. Her career was still in its early stages, but her work had already made an impact.
Hottle's Death marks the sudden loss of a young actress who had quickly gained recognition through one of Hollywood's biggest movie franchises.
Her portrayal of Jia helped increase visibility for deaf performers while making her a familiar face to audiences around the world.