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Millie Bobby Brown is remembering actress Kaylee Hottle, her costar in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, following her death Tuesday at 18.
The Stranger Things alum shared a black-and-white image of a young Hottle holding a King Kong toy.
“I’m so devastated to hear this,” Brown wrote. “You will be deeply missed Kaylee.”
Hottle was in a car crash in Ijamsville, Md., and died on her way to the hospital, her father, Joshua Hottle, told TMZ. He later explained on Facebook Live, via American Sign Language, that he was on his way from Texas to Maryland to claim her body.
Hottle, who was deaf, played orphan Jia, who connects with the monster over American Sign Language in her movie with Brown. Alexander Skarsgård, Brian Tyree Henry, Eiza González, and Rebecca Hall were also part of the cast.
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Brown, 22, who had played Madison in both Godzilla vs. Kong and 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters, wasn’t part of Empire.
Hall shared her own tribute, posting several photos of herself with an even younger Hottle. The images showed the two smiling on set and making funny faces for the camera. In the caption, she noted that she was devastated by the news: “My heart goes out to your family.”
Actress Marlee Matlin, an advocate for Deaf actors, said she was “absolutely gutted” by the loss.
“May her beauty and talent be a memory for eternity,” Matlin wrote on Facebook. “Such a privilege to have met Kaylee last year.”
The young actress had been nominated in the category of Best Younger Performer in a Film at the Saturn Awards for her turn in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
