Dave Hollis, former Disney distribution chief self-help author and lifestyle influencer, died on Saturday, February 11, at the age of 47.
No cause of death has been given so far. Hollis’ family said in a statement that he died peacefully at home in Austin and that he had recently been hospitalized for heart problems.
Hollis rose to prominence in 2011 when he began his tenure as Disney’s head of theatrical distribution, overseeing massive franchises including Marvel Studios’ The Avengers and Star Wars, as well as the smash animated feature Frozen.
Under Hollis’ direction, Disney became the first film studio in 2016 to exceed $7 billion in global box office grosses in a single year.
Despite his success in the corporate world, Hollis is probably best known for helping launch the career of his estranged wife, author, and lifestyle influencer Rachel Hollis.
In 2018, he left his position at Disney to move to Austin with Rachel as she launched her empire from the viral fame and success of her first book, Girl, Wash Your Face. After it became a bestseller, the Hollies devoted conferences (many for multi-level marketing companies), podcasts, and other media to their message, which is now largely considered toxic positivity through The Hollies Company.
His brand launched a multi-million dollar venture, The New York Times reported in 2019. That same year, Dave left The Hollis Company.
In 2020, Dave and Rachel Hollis announced their separation in a joint statement on Instagram.
After their split, Dave became a lifestyle influencer and author in his own right, writing the self-help tomes 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 Want. and the children’s book Here to Your Dreams!: A Teatime with Noah Book.