David Ellison
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Born January 9th, 1983, David Ellison is an American film producer with a remarkable trajectory. Son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, David established Skydance Media in 2006, serving as its CEO until 2025. His production credits include the critically acclaimed "Top Gun: Maverick," which garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. Since August 2025, he has led the newly formed Paramount Skydance Corporation as its Chairman and CEO.
Growing up in Woodside, California, David’s passion for film was ignited by his mother. He attended the University of Southern California, but famously left film school in 2005 to finance his first movie, "Flyboys." Influenced by tech visionary Steve Jobs, a friend of his father, David pitched his Skydance Media concept to Jobs, refining it under his advice. He shares his creative lineage with his sister, Megan Ellison, the founder of Annapurna Pictures.
As CEO and founder of Skydance Media, David has overseen a slate of successful films such as "Mission: Impossible – Fallout," "Annihilation," and the "Star Trek" franchise entries. His industry acumen was recognized with placements on Variety's Dealmaker list and Forbes' 30 Under 30. Beyond producing, David has also appeared as an actor in films like "Flyboys" and "Little Fish." Skydance Media expanded into television in 2013, executive-producing shows like "Altered Carbon" and "Grace and Frankie." In 2014, he launched the men's clothing line, "LANAI Collection," and in 2017, he partnered to launch Skydance Animation, bringing former Pixar CCO John Lasseter on board.
The pivotal merger of Skydance Media with Paramount Global, culminating in the formation of Paramount Skydance Corporation on August 7th, 2025, marked a new chapter. David now helms this consolidated entity as its Chairman and CEO.
A licensed pilot with extensive ratings, David’s passion for aviation led him to perform aerobatics as part of Sean D. Tucker's "Stars of Tomorrow" team. He is an active member of the Producers Guild of America and the Television Academy. In 2011, he married actress and singer Sandra Lynn Modic, with whom he has two children.
David Ellison (born January 9, 1983) is an American film producer. He is the son of multibillionaire and Oracle Corporation co-founder Larry Ellison. He was a founder and CEO of Skydance Media, established in 2006 until 2025. He has produced films, including Top Gun: Maverick (2022), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for the Best Picture. Since August 2025, Ellison has served as Chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance Corporation.
== Early life and education ==
Ellison was born on January 9, 1983 in Santa Clara County, California. He is the son of billionaire Oracle Corporation co-founder and chairman Larry Ellison and his ex-wife, Barbara Boothe Ellison. His father is of Italian and Jewish heritage. Ellison grew up in Woodside, California with his mother, who nurtured his love for film. He attended the University 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. Ellison was influenced by businessman Steve Jobs, a friend of his father, and pitched Jobs his idea for Skydance Media before revising it under Jobs' advice. He has one sister, film producer Megan Ellison, who founded Annapurna Pictures.
== Career ==
Ellison is the CEO and founder of Skydance Media. The company's films include Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Annihilation, World War Z, True Grit, Jack Reacher, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond. Ellison was named to Variety's Dealmaker list for 2010 and the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2011. Ellison was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture for Top Gun: Maverick.
As an actor, Ellison has performed in the films Flyboys, Little Fish, Strange Pond, and Hole in One.
Ellison's company Skydance Media expanded in 2013 with the launch of its television division. He has executive-produced shows such as Altered Carbon and Grace and Frankie.
In 2014, Ellison launched a new line of men's clothing called the "LANAI Collection."
In 2017, Ellison helped launch Skydance Animation in partnership with Spain's Ilion Animation Studios. He hired the former Pixar CCO John Lasseter to run Skydance Animation.
=== Paramount Skydance Corporation ===
In January 2024, it was reported that Ellison was interested in merging Skydance Media with Paramount Global and buying the latter's parent company National Amusements from Shari Redstone. The merger received approval from the FCC in July of 2025. The merger was completed by August 7, 2025, and Paramount Skydance Corporation was formed. Ellison serves as Chairman and CEO of the merged company.
== Personal life ==
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 of Sean D. Tucker's "Stars of Tomorrow" aerobatic team at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
Ellison is a member of the Producers Guild of America and Television Academy.
He married Sandra Lynn Modic, an actress and singer, on October 1, 2011, in Palm Springs, California. They have two children.
== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
Executive producer
Producer
Actor
Director
Writer
Thanks
=== Television ===
Executive producer
Manhattan (2014−15)
Ten Days in the Valley (2017)
Grace and Frankie (2015−18)
Dietland (2018)
Condor (2018–2020)
Altered Carbon (2018−19)
Jack Ryan (2018−2023)
Foundation (2021–present)
Reacher (2022–present)
Good Rivals (2022)
The Checkup with Dr. David Agus (2022)
The Big Door Prize (2023)
FUBAR (2023)
WondLa (2024)
One Night in Idaho: The College Murders (2025)
Terminator Zero (2024)
Neuromancer (TBA)
Actor
== References ==
== External links ==
David Ellison at IMDb
David Ellison Work Summary
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