Biography
David Ellison was born on January 9, 1983, in Santa Clara County, California. He is the son of Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, and Barbara Boothe Ellison. After his parents divorced, David grew up mostly with his mother in Woodside, California. From a young age, he loved movies and flying airplanes.
David has one sister, Megan Ellison, who is also well known in Hollywood. She started her own film company called Annapurna Pictures. A family friend, Steve Jobs, inspired David to study film at the University of Southern California. However, he left college in 2005 to produce his first movie, Flyboys.
Career Details
In 2006, David created Skydance Media, a company that makes big Hollywood movies and TV shows. He became the CEO and helped produce several major films, including:
- Mission: Impossible – Fallout
- World War Z
- Star Trek Into Darkness
- Top Gun: Maverick, which received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture
Skydance later expanded into TV and produced popular shows such as Altered Carbon, Grace and Frankie, Foundation, and Reacher. In 2017, the company also moved into animation and built Skydance Animation with help from John Lasseter, a well-known name from Pixar.
In 2025, Skydance joined with Paramount Global to form a new company called Paramount Skydance Corporation. After the FCC approved the deal, David became the chairman and CEO.
Besides producing movies, David has also acted in a few films like Flyboys. In 2014, he also started a men’s clothing brand called LANAI.
Achievements
David’s work was recognized early in his career. He was listed in Variety’s Dealmaker list in 2010 and Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2011. Under his leadership, Skydance has produced more than 20 major films and many successful TV series. The company has also grown into gaming and animation.
His biggest milestone so far is leading the Skydance–Paramount merger, making him one of the most influential people in the entertainment industry.
Family & Personal Life
David married actress and singer Sandra Lynn Modic on October 1, 2011, and the couple has two children.
He is also a skilled pilot. David got his pilot license at age 20 and can fly helicopters, commercial planes, and multi-engine aircraft. He has even performed with famous aerobatic flying teams like “Stars of Tomorrow.”
He is a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Television Academy.
David Ellison Ethnicity, Age, Height, Religion
David has Italian and Jewish roots from his father’s side.
As of 2025, he is 42 years old.
His height is 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m).
Some reports say he follows Christianity, though not much is publicly known.
Net Worth
As of 2025, David Ellison’s estimated net worth is around $500 million. His income mainly comes from Skydance’s success and his family’s connection to Larry Ellison’s tech fortune.
Latest News: David Ellison & Paramount Skydance
On December 8, 2025, David made headlines by launching a $108 billion all-cash offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). This bold move went straight to the company’s shareholders, offering $30 per share, which was higher than Netflix’s earlier agreement to buy some of WBD’s assets.
David said his offer gives $17.6 billion more in cash value and would help the combined company compete with big streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube.
In a leaked memo to employees, he mentioned that the deal would create more jobs, improve storytelling, and make the company stronger. He valued WBD’s cable networks at $1 per share, planning to spin them off under a new name: Discovery Global.
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Ellison |
| Date of Birth / Age | January 9, 1983 (42 in 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Santa Clara County, California, USA |
| Parents | Larry Ellison & Barbara Boothe |
| Sibling | Sister: Megan Ellison |
| Spouse | Sandra Lynn Modic (m. 2011) |
| Children | 2 |
| Height | 6′1″ (1.85 m) |
| Ethnicity | Italian & Jewish (father’s side) |
| Religion | Christianity (as per reports) |
| Occupation | Film producer, media executive |
| Companies | Skydance Media; Paramount Skydance (CEO) |
| Major Films | Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible films, World War Z |
| Key Achievements | Oscar nomination, Forbes 30 Under 30, Paramount merger |
| Net Worth (2025) | ~ $500 million |