A spokesman confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday that Dave Hollis, a writer, former Disney executive, and ex-husband of novelist Rachel Hollis, has away at the age of 47.
According to a statement given to CBS News by Hollis’ literary agency, Kevan Lyon, the author passed away over the weekend. No immediate explanation for the death was given.
“I had the great honor of working with him on several books, including his most recent release with his daughter Noah,” Lyon said. “My thoughts are with his children and his family now in this tough and devastating time.”
Dave Hollis and Rachel Hollis had four children together, and she spoke about his passing on Instagram.
“We are so devastated,” she wrote Tuesday. “I have no words, and my heart is too broken to find them. Please wrap the kids in prayer as we try and navigate through the unthinkable,” she wrote.
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Variety reported Monday that he had just been admitted to the hospital after having heart-related problems.
According to his website, Hollis formerly served as the film studio’s head of sales at The Walt Disney Company.
He left Disney after 17 years and became CEO of The Hollis Company, which specialized in creating media content, books, and events, after his wife’s blog and 2018 book, “Girl, Wash Your Face,” garnered international popularity.
“I finally one day said, ‘Fine, I don’t trust it. There’s some snake oil in this personal development space, but it’s worked for you. I have to see at least what it’s about,'” he told The Associated Press in September 2018.
The couple ran well-liked self-improvement seminars together.
He continued to work as a life coach and run a similar business after he and Rachel Hollis filed for divorce in 2020. He also hosted the “Rise Together” podcast and wrote books like “Get Out of Your Way: A Skeptic’s Guide to Growth and Fulfillment” and “Built Through Courage: Face Your Fears to Live the Life You Were Meant for.” The most recent episode of the interview podcast with a health theme was published on February 9.
According to his website, Hollis was a four-time foster parent and started the Dave Hollis Giving Fund, which strives to help homeless youths, foster children, and people who lack access to food.
Additionally, he was a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts, and Sciences and served on its membership committee board.
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He sat on the boards of National Angels, Fandango Labs, Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers, and Pepperdine University’s Institute for Entertainment Media and Culture.
After Hollis passed away, fellow motivational speaker Mel Robbins wrote about him on her blog, claiming that she and her husband, Chris, adored him like a brother.
“You made me laugh harder than anyone I’ve ever met. We could talk about anything, and to anyone, for hours and hours. And we did. Everywhere we went, there was laughter,” she wrote.