Who was Dave Hollis?
Dave Hollis was a former Disney executive turned motivational author and speaker, known for his role in leading Disney’s theatrical distribution during the rise of blockbuster franchises like Star Wars and Marvel. He authored books such as Get Out of Your Own Way and Built Through Courage, and became a prominent voice in the self-improvement space. Hollis passed away in February 2023 at the age of 47, with his death being ruled as an accidental overdose.
How old is Dave Hollis?
Dave was born on February 14, 1975, in California, United States, and passed away on February 11, 2023. He was 47 years old at the time of his death. His celebrated his birthday on February 14 every year and his zodiac sign was Aquarius.
Personal Information Summary
| Real Name | Dave Hollis |
| Gender Identity | Male |
| Date of Birth | February 14, 1975 |
| Age at Death | 47 years old |
| Birth Place | California, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Not publicly specified |
| Net Worth | The estimated net worth was between $100,000 and $1 million |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, Former Disney Executive |
| Known For | Leading Disney’s theatrical distribution, motivational speaking, and self-help writing |
| Notable Achievements | Spearheaded the relaunch of the Star Wars franchise Oversaw global releases of Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, and Black Panther CEO of Chic Media (The Hollis Company) Member of the Motion Picture Academy’s membership committee |
| Authored Books | Get Out of Your Own Way Built Through Courage |
| Date of Death | February 11, 2023 |
| Cause of Death | Accidental overdose involving cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol |
Early Life and Education
Dave Hollis was born in Ohio in 1975 and grew up in a small town in Northern California called Modesto. He was known to be driven and ambitious from a young age. His parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised by his mother along with his younger sister. Dave Hollis has often spoken about the challenges he faced during his childhood, including financial struggles and personal insecurity. Despite these challenges, Dave Hollis found solace in sports. He was an excellent athlete and played football, basketball, and baseball in high school. He was also a dedicated student and graduated with honors from Beyer High School in 1992.
After completing high school, Dave Hollis enrolled at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He studied economics and business management and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996. During his time in college, Dave Hollis continued to excel in sports and played college football for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. After completing his undergraduate studies, Dave Hollis pursued his MBA at Pepperdine University. He graduated in 1999 with a Master of Business Administration degree.
In addition to his education pursuit, Hollis attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication in 1997. During his time at Pepperdine, he was an active member of the water polo team, which allowed him to hone his leadership and teamwork skills. Dave Hollis has always been passionate about personal development and learning. He has read countless books on self-improvement, leadership, and success, and has sought out mentors and coaches throughout his career.
Parents and Siblings
Hollis is the son of Patty Hollis, his mother, born in June 1953 and David Hollis Sr, served as a teacher. Their 48th wedding anniversary was celebrated in 2021. Dave has a sister named Heather Hollis and two other siblings, Tim Hollis and Kirsten Hollis with whom he shared a close bond.
| Parent’s name | Father: David Hollis Sr Mother: Patty Hollis |
| Siblings | Heather Hollis, Tim Hollis, and Kirsten Hollis |
Was Dave Hollis Married?
Dave Hollis was married to Rachel Hollis for nearly two decades. The couple met in Los Angeles in the early 2000s and got married in 2004. Over the course of their 16-year marriage, they built a family of six, including four children: Jackson Hollis, Sawyer Hollis, Ford Hollis, Noah Hollis (adopted daughter). In June 2020, the couple announced their divorce, which came as a surprise to many of their followers. They announced their divorce in 2020, a decision they both shared publicly while emphasizing mutual respect and co-parenting. Despite their separation, Dave and Rachel continue to collaborate on building a lifestyle brand focused on personal development, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Partner | Rachel Hollis |
| Children | Jackson Hollis, Sawyer Hollis, Ford Hollis, Noah Hollis (adopted daughter) |
What Did Dave Hollis do to earn a living?
Dave Hollis earned a living through a dynamic career that spanned corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal development.
Dave Hollis Career Background
Hollis began his professional journey at The Walt Disney Company, where he spent 17 years and eventually rose to become the head of theatrical distribution. In this role, he oversaw the release of some of the most successful films in history, including entries from the Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar franchises. Under his leadership, Disney became the first studio to surpass $7 billion in global box office revenue in a single year. In 2018, Hollis made a bold career pivot by leaving Disney to join his then-wife Rachel Hollis in expanding The Hollis Company, a media and lifestyle brand that provides tools, resources, and inspiration for individuals seeking personal growth and fulfillment.
The Hollis Company offers a variety of products and services, including books, podcasts, online courses, and events. This venture focused on personal development, motivational content, and lifestyle branding. As CEO and a motivational speaker, Dave helped transform the company into a multimedia platform offering books, podcasts, conferences, and coaching services. In addition, he traveled the world and shared his insights with millions of people. He had a unique ability to connect with his audience and inspire them to reach their full potential (Information as per scholarshipserver.com)
What was the cause of Dave Hollis Death?
Dave Hollis died from an accidental overdose involving cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol. He passed away on February 11, 2023, at the age of 47. The autopsy report confirmed that the combination of substances led to his death, and it was ruled accidental. His passing sparked conversations about mental health, substance use, and the pressures faced by public figures.
Dave Hollis Book
Dave authored several books that reflect his journey from corporate executive to motivational speaker and personal development advocate. His debut book, Get Out of Your Own Way: A Skeptic’s Guide to Growth and Fulfillment (2020), shares personal stories and practical advice aimed at helping readers overcome self-doubt and limiting beliefs. He followed this with Built Through Courage: Face Your Fears to Live the Life You Were Meant For (2021), which encourages readers to embrace discomfort and pursue authenticity. In 2022, he co-authored a children’s book with his daughter titled Here’s to Your Dreams!: A Teatime with Noah Book, designed to inspire young readers to believe in themselves and chase their dreams.
How Tall is Dave Hollis?
Dave is approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, equaling 1.7 meters.
Dave Hollis Net Worth
As of 2025, Dave Hollis’s net worth was estimated to be between $100,000 and $1 million according to CelebsMoney. His wealth came from a combination of high-level corporate roles (notably as President of Worldwide Distribution at Disney), leadership at The Hollis Company, bestselling books, speaking engagements, and media projects.
Social Media
Dave gained popularity on social media, where he shared motivational content, personal reflections, and updates related to his books and speaking engagements. His social media accounts included:
| @Dave Hollis, where he had 133k followers | |
| @MrDaveHollis, where he had 11k followers | |
| YouTube | @Dave Hollis, where he had 5.0k subscribers |
| @mrdavehollis, where he had 405k followers |