Millie Bobby Brown Leads Tributes for 'Godzilla' Co-Star Kaylee Hottle, 18

Millie Bobby Brown, star of "Stranger Things" and "Enola Holmes," has led heartfelt tributes following the tragic passing of her "Godzilla" co-star, Kaylee Hottle. Hottle, an incredibly talented deaf actress, died at the young age of 18 after a car crash in Frederick, Maryland. The news has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the deaf community, with many remembering her significant contributions.

Kaylee Hottle was best known for her poignant portrayal of Jia, a deaf teenager who communicated with King Kong through sign language, in the blockbuster films "Godzilla vs. Kong" (2021) and its sequel, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" (2024). Her role was groundbreaking, bringing deaf representation to a major Hollywood franchise and resonating deeply with audiences worldwide.

Upon learning of the devastating news, Millie Bobby Brown, who shared the screen with Hottle in both "Godzilla" films, took to Instagram to express her sorrow. Sharing a black and white image of her co-star, Brown wrote, "I'm so devastated to hear this. You will be deeply missed Kaylee." Her words echoed the sentiments of many who worked with and admired Hottle.

The tragic incident occurred in Frederick, Maryland, and was first announced by Kaylee's father, Joshua Hottle. In an emotional Facebook livestream delivered in American Sign Language (ASL), he shared the heartbreaking details, explaining that he received a call about the collision while in Texas and a follow-up call confirming his daughter's heart had stopped en route to the hospital.

Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry. Marlee Matlin, the first deaf actress to win an Oscar, shared a photo of herself with Hottle and fellow actress Shoshannah Stern on X (formerly Twitter). Matlin wrote, "I am absolutely gutted about the passing of sweet Kaylee Hottle. May her beauty and talent be a memory for eternity." Stern also expressed her grief, stating, "I am heartbroken. My deepest sympathies to the Hottle family.

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Kaylee Hottle embarked on her acting journey with commercials. At just nine years old, she featured in an advertisement for Glide, a live video messaging app widely used by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. She also held a minor role in the action series "Magnum P.I." Hottle, born in 2007, was discovered by casting director Sarah Halley Fin, as detailed in a 2024 interview with Chron magazine, setting her on a path that would soon lead to international recognition and a powerful impact on representation in cinema. Her untimely passing leaves a void in the hearts of many and a reminder of the bright future that was tragically cut short.

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