Dave Hollis, an author, former Disney executive and ex-husband of writer Rachel Hollis, has died at age 47, a representative confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday.
Hollis’ literary agent, Kevan Lyon, told CBS News in a statement that Hollis died over the weekend. No cause of death was immediately provided.
“I had the great honor of working with him on several books, including his latest outing with his daughter Noah,” Lyon said. “My thoughts are now with his children and family at this very difficult and devastating time.”
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Rachel Hollis, who shared four children with Dave Hollis, announced her death on Instagram.
“We are so devastated,” she wrote on Tuesday. “I have no words and my heart is too broken to find them. Please wrap the children in prayer as we try to navigate through the unthinkable,” she wrote.
He had recently been hospitalized after experiencing heart problems, Variety reported Monday.
Hollis was previously president of film studio sales for The Walt Disney Company, according to its website.
After his wife’s blog and 2018 book, “Girl, Wash Your Face,” gained popularity, he left Disney – after being there for 17 years – and became CEO of The Hollis Companywhich focused on the production of media content, books and events.
“I finally said one day, ‘Okay, I don’t trust him. I think there’s snake oil in this personal development space, but it worked for you. I owe it to you. less see what it’s about'” he told the Associated Press in September 2018.
Together the couple held popular self-improvement seminars.
After he and Rachel Hollis filed for divorce in 2020, he continued to work as a life coach and run a similar business, 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 Destined For,” and hosts the “Rise Together” podcast. The most recent episode of the health-focused interview podcast was released Feb. .
Hollis also founded the Dave Hollis Giving Fund – which aims to help foster children, homeless teenagers and those experiencing food insecurity – and was a four-time adoptive parent, according to its website.
He also served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences Membership Committee and was a member of the Academy. He has served on the boards of Fandango Labs, Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers, National Angels, and Pepperdine’s Institute for Entertainment Media and Culture, where he attended school.
Another motivational speaker, Mel Robbins, posted about Hollis after his death, saying that she and her husband, Chris, loved him like a brother.
“You made me laugh harder than anyone I’ve ever met. We could talk about anything, and anyone, for hours and hours. And we did. Anywhere we were going, there were laughs.” she wrote.
