David Ellison | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1983-01-09)January 9, 1983 (age 42) |
| Education | University of Southern California (attended) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Title | Chairman & CEO,Paramount Skydance Corporation (2025–present) Founder ofSkydance Media |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
|
| Family | Megan Ellison (sister) |
David Ellison (born January 9, 1983) is an American film producer serving as chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) ofParamount Skydance since August 2025. He is the son ofOracle Corporation co-founderLarry Ellison, the second wealthiest individual in the world.
He foundedSkydance Media in 2006, and served as its CEO until 2025. He has produced films, includingTop Gun: Maverick (2022), which was nominated forBest Picture at the95th Academy Awards.
Ellison was born on January 9, 1983 inSanta Clara County, California. He is the son of billionaireOracle Corporation co-founder and chairmanLarry Ellison and his ex-wife, Barbara Boothe Ellison. His father is ofItalian andJewish heritage.[1] Ellison grew up inWoodside, California with his mother, who nurtured his love for film.[2] He attended theUniversity of Southern California, but dropped out of its film school in 2005 to fund a movie with his family's money,Flyboys, a box-office bomb.[3][4] Ellison was influenced by businessmanSteve Jobs, a friend of his father, and pitched Jobs his idea forSkydance Media before revising it under Jobs' advice.[2] He has one sister, film producerMegan Ellison, who foundedAnnapurna Pictures.[1]
Ellison is the CEO and founder ofSkydance Media. The company's films includeMission: Impossible – Fallout,Annihilation,World War Z,True Grit,Jack Reacher,Star Trek Into Darkness, andStar Trek Beyond. Ellison was named toVariety's Dealmaker list for 2010[5] and theForbes 30 Under 30 list in 2011.[6] Ellison was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Picture forTop Gun: Maverick.
As an actor, Ellison has performed in the filmsFlyboys,Little Fish, Strange Pond, andHole in One.
Ellison's companySkydance Media expanded in 2013 with the launch of its television division. He has executive-produced shows such asAltered Carbon andGrace and Frankie.
In 2014, Ellison launched a new line of men's clothing called the "LANAI Collection."[7]
In 2017, Ellison helped launchSkydance Animation in partnership with Spain'sIlion Animation Studios. He hired the formerPixar CCOJohn Lasseter to run Skydance Animation.[8]
In January 2024, it was reported that Ellison was interested inmerging Skydance Media withParamount Global and buying the latter's parent companyNational Amusements fromShari Redstone.[9] The merger received approval from the FCC in July of 2025. The merger was completed by August 7, 2025, andParamount Skydance Corporation was formed. Ellison serves as Chairman and CEO of the merged company.[10]
Ellison is a licensed pilot with instrument ratings for helicopter aviation,aerobatics,commercial aviation, fixed-wing aircraft, and multi-engine aircraft. In 2003, aged 20, he was selected to perform as part ofSean D. Tucker's "Stars of Tomorrow" aerobatic team atEAA AirVenture Oshkosh.[11]
Ellison is a member of theProducers Guild of America and Television Academy.[12]
He married Sandra Lynn Modic, an actress and singer, on October 1, 2011, inPalm Springs, California.[13] They have two children.[14]
Executive producer
Producer
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Chumscrubber | Student #1 | |
| When All Else Fails | Mike Williams | Short film | |
| 2006 | Flyboys | Eddie Beagle | |
| 2009 | Hole in One | Tyler Hayden | |
| Little Fish, Strange Pond | Romeo | Direct-to-video |
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | When All Else Fails | Short film |
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | When All Else Fails | Short film |
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Phantom | Special thanks |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Blank Slate | Blake Feltzer | Television film |
| 2010 | Leverage | Ballard |
Tom and Katie were in Palm Springs this weekend celebrating the wedding of Sandy Modic and David Ellison.
