David Ellison (Paramount Skydance CEO) – Bio, Age, Wife, Career , Skydance Media & Facts
David Ellison is an American film producer, media executive, and entrepreneur best known as the founder of Skydance Media and, since 2025, the Chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance Corporation. The son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, he has built a major Hollywood presence through blockbuster films including Top Gun: Maverick and the Mission: Impossible franchise, later expanding into a media empire that includes Paramount Pictures, CBS, MTV, and streaming platforms.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | David Ferris Ellison |
| Nickname | Not publicly used |
| Profession | Film producer, media executive, former actor |
| Birth Date | January 9, 1983 |
| Age | 43 (as of 2026) 43 years 7 months old |
| Birth Place | Santa Clara County, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Founder of Skydance Media; Chairman & CEO of Paramount Skydance; producer of Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible films |
| Ethnicity | White (Italian and Jewish heritage on fatherâs side) |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Height & Weight | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m); approximately 78â88 kg (estimates) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Qualification | Attended University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts (did not graduate); earlier attended Pepperdine University and Sacred Heart Schools |
| Religion | Not publicly emphasized (Jewish heritage noted) |
| Marital Status / Spouses | Married to Sandra Lynn Modic (since 2011) |
| Relationships | Long-term marriage; no other notable public relationships widely reported |
| Children | Two |
| Family Tree | Father: Larry Ellison (Oracle co-founder); Mother: Barbara Boothe Ellison; Sister: Megan Ellison (founder of Annapurna Pictures) |
| Hobbies / Interests | Aviation and piloting (licensed commercial, aerobatic, helicopter, multi-engine pilot), film |
| Current Work | Chairman & CEO, Paramount Skydance Corporation |
| Years Active | 2005âpresent |
| Net Worth (estimate) | Approximately $500 million |
Early Life & Education
David Ferris Ellison was born on January 9, 1983, in Santa Clara County, California, to Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle Corporation, and his third wife, Barbara Boothe Ellison. His parents divorced in 1986 shortly after the birth of his younger sister, Megan. David and Megan were primarily raised by their mother on a horse farm in Woodside, California, in the Bay Area. Their father lived nearby but was not a day-to-day presence in their early years; the siblings later bonded with him over shared interests, including aviation.
Ellison developed a strong love of movies from his motherâs household, which maintained a large VHS library and frequently screened classics such as the original Star Wars trilogy, Jurassic Park, Terminator, and Back to the Future. He attended Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton. He later studied at Pepperdine University and enrolled at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts but left without graduating to pursue acting and film projects.
At age 20, he performed as part of aerobatic pilot Sean D. Tuckerâs âStars of Tomorrowâ team at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show, reflecting his lifelong passion for flying.
Career Journey
Early Acting and Entry into Production
Ellison began in entertainment as an actor and financier. His first major project was the 2006 World War I aviation film Flyboys, which he co-financed and appeared in. The movie underperformed critically and commercially. He had smaller roles in other projects, including Hole in One, where he met his future wife.
Founding Skydance Media
In 2006 he established what became Skydance Media (formally launched with major financing around 2010). With significant backing that included support from his father, he secured a multi-year co-financing and co-production deal with Paramount Pictures. Early successes included the Coen brothersâ True Grit (2010). Skydance went on to produce or co-produce major franchises and hits such as multiple Mission: Impossible films (including Ghost Protocol, Rogue Nation, and later entries), Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek Beyond, Terminator Genisys, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Life, and the record-breaking Top Gun: Maverick (2022), which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
Under Ellisonâs leadership, Skydance expanded into television (series including Jack Ryan, Grace and Frankie, and Foundation), animation, sports content (in partnership with the NFL), and interactive entertainment. The companyâs valuation grew substantially through private equity investment, reaching multi-billion-dollar status.
Paramount Skydance Merger and Leadership
In July 2024 Skydance agreed to merge with Paramount Global. After regulatory processes, the deal closed in August 2025, creating Paramount Skydance Corporation. Ellison became Chairman and CEO, overseeing studios, television networks (including CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon), streaming (Paramount+, Pluto TV), and related assets. He has emphasized cost efficiencies, digital growth, and positioning the company as a technology-media hybrid.
Recent Developments (2025â2026)
Ellison has pursued further expansion, including a major bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (valued in the range of $100â111 billion). The deal has faced regulatory and antitrust challenges, including lawsuits from state attorneys general. In public statements and a 2026 New York Times op-ed, he has addressed concerns about his stewardship of news assets such as CNN and CBS News.
Selected Career Credits
- Producer / executive producer: Top Gun: Maverick (2022), Mission: Impossible series, Star Trek films, True Grit, Terminator Genisys, and many others
- Films associated with Skydance have generated billions in global box office
- Expansion into TV, animation, and sports documentaries
- Leadership of the combined Paramount Skydance entity since 2025
Personal Life
David Ellison married actress and singer-songwriter Sandra Lynn Modic (who performs as Sandra Lynn) on October 1, 2011, in Palm Springs, California. The couple met on the set of Hole in One. They have two children and live in Southern California. Ellison maintains a relatively private family life.
He is an accomplished pilot with ratings for commercial aviation, aerobatics, helicopters, fixed-wing, and multi-engine aircraft. Aviation has been a long-standing personal passion, reflected in the naming of Skydance and his early stunt-plane experiences.
Dating History / Affairs
No significant public dating history beyond his marriage has been widely reported. He has kept personal relationships low-profile.
Controversies
Ellisonâs rapid rise and family wealth have drawn ânepo babyâ commentary, though supporters note his operational success with Skydance. More recently, his political associationsâearlier Democratic donations (including to Joe Biden) followed by visible ties to President Donald Trump, attendance at Trump events, and the appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS Newsâhave sparked debate. Critics have questioned potential influence over news operations (CBS and, prospectively, CNN). Ellison has publicly stated that he votes for candidates of both parties, holds mixed views, and does not intend to bend newsrooms to personal politics. The ParamountâWarner Bros. Discovery bid has also faced antitrust lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny.
Awards & Achievements
- Academy Award nomination for Best Picture as a producer of Top Gun: Maverick
- Emmy nominations associated with Skydance television projects
- Built Skydance into a major independent studio with multi-billion-dollar valuation and nearly $10 billion in cumulative film grosses
- Successfully led the merger creating Paramount Skydance and assumed leadership of a major media conglomerate
- Membership in the Producers Guild of America and Television Academy
Physical Statistics
- Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m)
- Weight: Approximately 78â88 kg (estimates)
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
Quotes
In a 2026 New York Times op-ed addressing criticism of his politics and the Warner Bros. Discovery deal, Ellison wrote that he has âregularly voted for candidates of both parties,â holds a mix of conservative and liberal views âjust like most Americans,â and does not aspire to bend newsrooms to his personal perspectives. He has also spoken about founding Skydance out of a genuine love of movies and a desire to create the kind of films the company team enjoys watching.
Favorites
Public details on personal favorites are limited. Professionally and privately he has emphasized aviation and classic blockbuster filmmaking.
Earnings
Independent estimates place David Ellisonâs personal net worth around $500 million, derived primarily from his equity and success with Skydance Media (separate from his fatherâs vastly larger Oracle-related fortune). Compensation as Paramount Skydance CEO has included significant base pay, bonuses, and equity awards tied to deal closings. Exact current figures fluctuate with company performance and deal outcomes.
Interesting Facts
- He is a highly skilled pilot who performed aerobatics as a young man and continues to fly.
- His sister Megan Ellison founded the acclaimed indie studio Annapurna Pictures.
- Early career included a failed high-budget acting/financing project (Flyboys) before he found success as a producer.
- Skydanceâs name and identity draw from his aviation interests.
- He has described himself as socially liberal in earlier years while more recently being associated with bipartisan or Trump-aligned activities.
Did You Know Already?
- David Ellison received a substantial gift from his father on his 25th birthday that helped fuel early business efforts.
- Top Gun: Maverick, which he produced, became one of the highest-grossing films of its year and earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination.
- He has expanded beyond live-action features into animation, television series, and sports content.
- In 2026 he publicly defended his approach to news independence amid high-stakes merger negotiations.
Social Media Links
David Ellison maintains a low personal social media profile. Professional updates typically appear through official Paramount and Skydance channels or limited Instagram activity associated with his work and family. He does not maintain a high-visibility personal X/Twitter account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is David Ellison?
He is the founder of Skydance Media and the Chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance, known for producing major Hollywood blockbusters and leading a major media company formed by the 2025 merger of Skydance and Paramount Global.
How old is David Ellison?
Born January 9, 1983, he is 43 years old in 2026.
Is David Ellison married?
Yes. He has been married to actress and singer Sandra Lynn Modic since 2011. They have two children.
What is David Ellisonâs net worth?
Estimates place it around $500 million, primarily from his work building and leading Skydance Media.
What is David Ellison known for?
He is known for founding Skydance, producing hits such as Top Gun: Maverick and the Mission: Impossible films, and becoming CEO of the combined Paramount Skydance entity.
Who is David Ellisonâs father?
His father is Larry Ellison, co-founder and longtime leader of Oracle Corporation and one of the worldâs wealthiest individuals.
Conclusion
David Ellison has transformed from a USC film-school dropout and aspiring actor into one of Hollywoodâs most powerful executives. Through Skydance Media he delivered major commercial successes, then engineered a transformative merger that placed him at the helm of Paramount Skydance. As he navigates further expansion efforts, political scrutiny, and the challenges of the modern media landscape, he remains a central figure in the evolution of American entertainment.
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