
Kaylee Hottle, 19, Dead: ‘Godzilla’ Actress’s Father Speaks Out From Airport as He Travels to Bring Her Body Home
July 21, 2026


Kaylee Hottle made a name for herself as a young deaf Iwi girl when she appeared in "Godzilla vs. Kong." Here's everything you need to know about the young actress.
In the beautifully crafted "Godzilla vs. Kong," which premiered in theaters and on HBO on March 31, Kaylee Hottle played Jia, a young girl who was able to communicate with Kong using sign language.
Hottle stands out in the film that also starred Alexander Skarsgard and Rebecca Hall. The following facts about her will let you know why she is a rising star worth keeping an eye on.

Kaylee Hottle as Jia "Godzilla Vs Kong." | Photo: YouTube/Warner Bros. Pictures
THE VERY FIRST ROLE
As Jia in the "Godzilla vs. Kong" film, Hottle's acting is so natural that it's hard to believe it was her debut. Jia, an orphan, develops bonds with Kong and finds a mother figure in Dr. Ilene Andrews.
VERY PROFESSIONAL
As Alexander Skarsgard revealed in an interview, he learned American Sign Language to converse with Hottle off-screen. Hottle shocked Skarsgard by how soon she adapted to her first project.
Skarsgard said Hottle was exceptionally professional and extraordinary. He added that the range of emotion is evident in her face, and her subtleties of expression are captivating to watch.

Alexander Skarsgård at Brookfield Place on November 17, 2019 in New York City. | Photo: Getty Images
HER FAVORITE STAR
Millie Simmonds, star of "A Quiet Place," is one of Hottle's favorite stars, as she revealed in an interview. Based on what she believes, it's crucial to have deaf actors playing deaf characters.
Hottle is just one example that a person's disability or illness does not equate to being a celebrity.

Millicent "Millie" Simmonds visits People TV on March 9, 2020 in New York City. | Photo: Getty Images
FAMILY BACKGROUND
Hottle is a deaf actress from Atlanta, Georgia. While her date of birth is hard to verify, reports indicate that she was born May 1, 2012. Hottle is very proficient in American Sign Language.
Hottle attends The Texas School for the Deaf. Also deaf are her parents Ketsi Carlson and Joshua Hottle, as well as her older sister. According to reports, Hottle has three younger hearing siblings.
THE START OF HER CAREER
Hottle made her acting debut in 2016 in the advertisements for the Glide application public service announcement. A year later, she starred in a Mother's Day commercial for Convo Relay.
Hottle then showcased her acting prowess in "Godzilla vs. Kong." People can also recognize her from the 2018 ASL Nook video entitled "10 Deaf Children: One Powerful Message."
Hottle is just one example that a person's disability or illness does not equate to being a celebrity. Carrie Ann Inaba was revealed in 2013 to be suffering from neck osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis.
Meanwhile, Jessie J has a specific genetic condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which causes irregular heartbeat and breathlessness. The singer even had a minor stroke when she was 18.

Kaylee Hottle, 19, Dead: ‘Godzilla’ Actress’s Father Speaks Out From Airport as He Travels to Bring Her Body Home
July 21, 2026

This Star Returns to the Red Carpet After 11 Years Away – Fans Say She Looks Completely Different
May 29, 2026

Body Language Expert Reveals Why Princess Beatrice Was 'Strained and Unhappy' During Appearance with Pregnant Princess Eugenie in London – Photos
May 05, 2026

Elaine Chao Photographed Leaving Mitch McConnell's Rehab Center in a Trench Coat During a Heat Wave, and Netizens Can't Stop Talking — Photos
July 16, 2026

Trump Catches Toddler Before He Falls Off Stage — Then the Boy Says Something Unexpected — Video
August 06, 2026

Sharon Stone Mourns the Death of a Family Member After Joyful Mother's Day Celebration
May 13, 2026

LL Cool J and Wife Turn Heads at Broadway Opening of 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' — Video
April 28, 2026

Jack Nicholson, 89, Spotted in Rare New Photo Shared by Daughter – Fans React
April 24, 2026

Donald Trump's Handshake with Brigitte Macron at G7 Caught on Camera — Lip Reader Reveals What He Whispered to Her
June 17, 2026

Hawkeye in the Flesh: The Terrifying Real-Life Story of Jeremy Renner's 14,000-Pound Snowplow Accident
July 17, 2026

From Film Star to Baker: '80s Icon Leaves a Lasting Legacy at 86 as Fans Remember a Hollywood Legend
April 16, 2026