The โGodzilla vs Kongโ family is mourning the passing of the young franchise star Kaylee Hottle.
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Actor Rebecca Hall, who featured as anthropological linguist Dr Ilene Andrews along with Kaylee in 2021โs โGodzilla vs Kongโ and 2024โs โGodzilla x Kong: The New Empireโ, paid her tribute on Instagram and wrote, “Devastated to hear this news. My heart goes out to your family. You will be missed Kaylee.”
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She also shared heart-warming pictures that appeared to be from the sets of the โGodzillaโ films, showing Hall and Kaylee together.
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Likewise, actor Millie Bobby Brown, who was also a part of โGodzillla vs Kongโ, shared that she feels “devastated” on hearing the news.
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“I’m so devastated to hear this. You will be deeply missed Kaylee,” Brown wrote on Instagram.
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Kaylee Hottle, a deaf actress, marked her feature debut at the age of nine with โGodzilla vs Kongโ. She portrayed a deaf, orphaned indigenous Iwi girl, Jia, who was rescued by Kong on Skull Island.
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Kaylee reprised her character in โGodzilla x Kongโ, where her relationship with Dr Ilene Andrews took centre stage alongside her ancestral roots to the Iwi tribe.
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Legendary Pictures, the production company behind the โGodzillaโ films, paid an emotional tribute to the late actor.
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“We are devastated by the tragic passing of Kaylee Hottle. Through her unforgettable portrayal of Jia, Kaylee brought extraordinary heart, humanity, and light to Godzilla, Kong, and the Monsterverse. She was a cherished member of our film family, and her kindness, warmth, and remarkable talent touched everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her. Our hearts are with her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her during this unimaginably difficult time. Rest in Peace, Kaylee,” the X post read. Kaylee Hottle lost her life in a car accident on Tuesday. She was 18.
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The news of her demise was announced by her father, Joshua Hottle, via a Facebook livestream using American Sign Language. He also confirmed her death to a media outlet, saying she died in a car accident in Maryland and that he was flying from Texas to claim her body.