David Ferris Ellison (born January 9, 1983) is an American film producer, media executive, and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Paramount Skydance Corporation. A prominent figure in the modern entertainment industry, Ellison gained initial recognition for founding Skydance Media, a production house that became a major player in the Hollywood studio system through high-profile action franchises and technological innovation. In 2025, he successfully orchestrated the acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance, merging the entities into a new media conglomerate that positions him as one of the industry's most influential leaders. Born in Santa Clara County, California, Ellison is the son of Larry Ellison, the co-founder of the Oracle Corporation, and Barbara Boothe Ellison. He grew up in the Woodside area of the San Francisco Bay Area, raised primarily by his mother. During his youth, Ellison developed a fascination with aviation and filmmaking—two interests that would profoundly shape his professional trajectory. An avid pilot with instrument ratings for aerobatics and commercial aviation, he has frequently integrated his passion for flight into his career. He is the older brother of Megan Ellison, who is herself a renowned film producer and founder of Annapurna Pictures. Ellison pursued higher education at Pepperdine University before transferring to the University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts. In 2005, during his senior year, he departed from USC to pursue hands-on experience in the film industry. His early career included an acting and producing role in the 2006 World War I aviation film Flyboys. Although the film did not achieve significant commercial success, it served as a formative experience that clarified his ambition to become a filmmaker and financier. In 2006, Ellison founded Skydance Productions, which he formally launched as a full-scale studio in 2010 with significant funding, including a $350 million financing deal. Under his leadership, Skydance established a strategic, long-term partnership with Paramount Pictures, co-financing and producing major blockbuster series such as the Mission: Impossible franchise—starting with Ghost Protocol (2011)—and the Star Trek reboots. Ellison’s business model emphasized "event-level" entertainment, characterized by high-budget action and science fiction films. His most notable production successes include Top Gun: Maverick (2022), which garnered widespread critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. Beyond film, Ellison expanded Skydance into television, animation, and interactive media, fostering a diversified portfolio of intellectual property. In July 2024, Ellison reached a definitive agreement to merge Skydance Media with Paramount Global in an $8 billion deal. Following regulatory approvals, the transaction closed on August 7, 2025, resulting in the creation of Paramount Skydance Corporation. As Chairman and CEO of the combined entity, Ellison unveiled a vision to transform the legacy studio into a "tech-hybrid" media company, prioritizing the growth of streaming services like Paramount+ and optimizing operational efficiencies. His leadership tenure began with significant organizational restructuring, including the appointment of new leadership teams and a focus on integrating advanced technology with traditional storytelling. In his personal life, Ellison married actress and singer Sandra Lynn Modic in 2011. The couple has two children. Known for maintaining a relatively low public profile despite the prominence of his family and career, Ellison has transitioned from a boutique studio founder to a central figure in global media. Following the successful closure of the Paramount merger, he continued to pursue aggressive expansion, including a high-profile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, signaling his intent to reshape the competitive landscape of the streaming and entertainment industry.