Dave Hollis, Former Disney Distribution Chief, Dies at 47

J. Kim Murphy
·2 min read
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Dave Hollis, Disney’s former president of worldwide distribution, died Saturday night at his home in Austin, Texas. He was 47.

Hollis had been recently hospitalized for heart-related health issues, though no exact cause of death has been determined.

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“We are devastated,” his ex-wife Rachel Hollis wrote on Instagram. “I have no words and my heart is too broken to find them. Please wrap the kids in prayers as we try and navigate through the unthinkable.”

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A post shared by Rachel Hollis (@msrachelhollis)

Hollis led theatrical distribution at Disney from 2011 until 2018, when he stepped down to run his then-wife’s company, Chic Media. His tenure at Disney coincided with unprecedented box office success, thanks to blockbusters from Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm and Pixar, as well as live-action remakes of animated classics and new animated features. In 2016, Disney became the first studio to cross $7 billion globally in a single year.

It came as a surprise when Hollis, a well-liked executive whose affable personality made him an ideal fit for the family friendly company, left the studio to move with his family to Texas. His ex-wife Rachel Hollis, best known for writing the book “Girl, Wash Your Face,” is an author, motivational speaker and social influencer.

“I can’t count the number of ‘pinch-me’ moments I’ve had in my time at Disney,” Hollis said in 2018 when he stepped down from the studio. “In a world where so few opportunities could compare, the chance to support my wife and help grow her company was something I couldn’t pass up.”

Beyond his time as an executive, Hollis also hosted his own podcast, Rise Together. He is also a published author who has written two self-help books, “Get Out of Your Own Way: A Skeptic’s Guide to Growth and Fulfillment” and “Built Through Courage: Face Your Fears to Live the Life You Were Meant for,” as well as a children’s book, “Here’s to Your Dreams: A Teatime with Noah Book.”

Hollis founded the Dave Hollis Giving Fund, which aims to provide support to children in foster care and homeless teenagers. He was also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and served on the boards of Fandango Labs, Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers and National Angeles.

Hollis is survived by his four children.

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