David Ellison
Summary
David Ellison is Paramount Skydance’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a position he has held since the company was formed through the Skydance–Paramount merger on August 7, 2025. ([paramount.com](https://www.paramount.com/about/leadership?utm_source=openai))
Biography
Ellison founded Skydance in 2010 and served as its chief executive before taking over as Paramount Skydance’s CEO. The company was created to develop and produce film, television, animation, interactive and other entertainment content, initially through a major partnership with Paramount Pictures. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2041610/000119312525310708/d92876dex99a1a.htm?utm_source=openai)) During his Skydance tenure, Ellison helped build a slate of commercially successful film and television projects, including the Top Gun and Mission: Impossible franchises. He is also associated with Skydance’s expansion into animation, gaming and new media. ([skydance.com](https://skydance.com/about/?utm_source=openai)) As Paramount Skydance CEO, Ellison oversees a combined company spanning Paramount Pictures, CBS, cable networks and streaming businesses. Company filings identify him as chairman of the board and disclose that he is the son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison. ([paramount.com](https://www.paramount.com/about/leadership?utm_source=openai))
Notable achievements
- Founded Skydance in 2010 and expanded it into a diversified film, television, animation and interactive-media company. ([skydance.com](https://skydance.com/about/?utm_source=openai))
- Helped develop and produce Top Gun: Maverick, which Skydance identifies as a record-setting theatrical release and the highest-grossing domestic film of its release year. ([skydance.com](https://skydance.com/about/?utm_source=openai))
- Built a long-term production relationship with Paramount Pictures around major entertainment franchises. ([skydance.com](https://skydance.com/about/?utm_source=openai))
- Led Skydance through its combination with Paramount Global, creating Paramount Skydance Corporation in August 2025. ([paramount.com](https://www.paramount.com/press/skydance-media-and-paramount-global-complete-merger-creating-next-generation-media-company?utm_source=openai))
- Pursued expansion beyond traditional film and television into gaming, animation and other digital entertainment formats. ([skydance.com](https://skydance.com/about/?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery has faced a lawsuit from California and 11 other states alleging that the transaction would reduce competition; the companies agreed to delay closing until at least a court ruling or June 1, 2027. ([reutersconnect.com](https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/california-11-states-suing-to-block-paramounts-110-billion-warner-bros-deal/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjY6bmV3c21sX1ZBNzYzMDEzMDcyMDI2UlAx/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjY6bmV3c21sX0xWQTAwMTc2MzAxMzA3MjAyNlJQMQ?utm_source=openai))
- The FCC review of the 2025 Skydance–Paramount merger was unusually contentious, with lawmakers and commentators raising questions about political influence and the conditions surrounding regulatory approval. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fcc-approves-paramount-skydance-merger/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab4i&utm_source=openai))
- Paramount announced major post-merger workforce reductions in October 2025 as part of a cost-reduction and restructuring program, drawing criticism from affected employees and media-industry observers. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/29/paramount-skydance-layoffs//?utm_source=openai))
- Company filings disclose extensive family-related ownership and related-party arrangements, including Oracle services and leases involving entities connected to Larry Ellison; these disclosures are relevant to governance and perceived conflict-of-interest scrutiny. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2041610/000119312525175046/d841914d8k12b.htm?utm_source=openai))