Dave Hollis, author, former Disney executive, and ex-husband of writer Rachel Hollis, died on Tuesday at the age of 47, a representative confirmed to CBS News.
Kevan Lyon, Hollis’ literary agent, told CBS News in a statement that Hollis died over the weekend. There was no immediate word on the cause of death.
“I had the privilege of working with him on several books, including his most recent release with his daughter Noah,” Lyon said. “In this very difficult and devastating time, my thoughts are with his children and family.”
Rachel Hollis, Dave Hollis’s four-year-old daughter, posted about his death on Instagram.
“We are completely devastated,” she wrote on Tuesday. “I am at a loss for words, and my heart is too broken to find them. Please pray for the children as we attempt to navigate the unthinkable “She penned a letter.
According to Variety, he was recently hospitalized after suffering from heart problems.
According to his website, Hollis previously served as president of sales for The Walt Disney Company’s film studio.
Following the success of his wife’s blog and 2018 book, “Girl, Wash Your Face,” he left Disney after 17 years and became CEO of The Hollis Company, which focuses on producing media content, books, and events.
“‘Fine, I don’t trust it,’ I finally said one day. I believe there is some snake oil in the personal development industry, but it has worked for you. I have to see what it’s all about.’ “In September 2018, he told The Associated Press.
The couple co-hosted popular self-improvement seminars.
He continued to work as a life coach and run a similar business after he and Rachel Hollis filed for divorce in 2020, authoring books such as “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,” and hosting the “Rise Together” podcast. On February 9, the most recent episode of the health-focused interview podcast was released.
According to his website, Hollis also founded the Dave Hollis Giving Fund, which aims to help foster children, homeless teens, and the food insecure, and was a four-time foster parent.
He has also served on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences membership committee and is a member of the Academy. He served on the boards of Fandango Labs, Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers, National Angels, and Pepperdine University’s Institute for Entertainment Media and Culture.
Mel Robbins, another motivational speaker, posted about Hollis after his death, saying she and her husband, Chris, loved him like a brother.
“You made me laugh like no one else I’ve ever met. We could talk for hours about anything and to anyone. And so we did. There was laughter everywhere we went “She penned a letter.
