Efron family trauma that brothers Zac and Dylan REFUSE to ever speak about… and why friends feared it could trigger movie star into drug spiral

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Earlier this month, Dylan Efron’s family showed their full support, enthusiastically cheering him on as he reached the finale of Dancing with the Stars. It was a heartwarming scene of family unity.

Actor Zac Efron’s brother was all smiles as he sat with their parents, who are divorced, and his half-sister Olivia, who was sitting on his lap, during the event.

Although the dance competition made it seem like everyone got along, it appears things haven’t always been harmonious.

The ‘Dancing with the Stars’ semi-finals saw former couple Baskett and David appear together publicly for the first time in two years.

I’ve been following the story of David and Starla, and honestly, details are pretty scarce about what led to their split. What is clear is that David, who’s 65, didn’t stay single for long – he quickly started a relationship with Jennifer Hnatov, or ‘Jenny’ as she’s known, who’s quite a bit younger at 36.

Ugh, it still stings to think about it, but David and Baskett officially divorced in November 2017. Thankfully, he found happiness again! By 2019, he’d married Hnatov, and now they have the cutest kids – little Olivia, who’s five, and their son Henry, who’s four. They seem so happy together, and I’m just thrilled for him!

Marriage records obtained by the Daily Mail show that David and Hnatov recently married in a private ceremony in San Luis Obispo, California. A reverend from an American Fellowship Church performed the service.

Currently, Baskett seems to be living alone in a million-dollar ranch house in Santa Maria, California, which is roughly 45 minutes away from where her former husband lives.

After almost 20 years together, Baskett filed for divorce from David in 2016, stating they had ‘irreconcilable differences.’ They first met while working at the same power plant – she worked in administration, and he was an engineer.

Newly released court records show that Chip Baskett and his ex-wife disagreed on the date their separation began. Baskett claimed they separated on March 8, 2015, but his ex-wife stated it was February 1, 2014. The court ultimately used Baskett’s date in the final divorce decree.

Okay, so I’ve been following this whole thing so closely, and in his divorce reply, David basically said they still need to figure out who pays who for support – it goes both ways, apparently! And get this – he wants Erika to cover his legal bills too! Can you believe it? He’s asking her to pay everything! I’m honestly on the edge of my seat waiting to see how this all plays out.

They seemed to resolve their problems over several months, and the final divorce agreement showed a significant win for Baskett.

A court ordered David to pay his former spouse a significant amount of money, and he is still required to make regular monthly support payments.

According to court records, he agreed to pay his ex-wife $3,700 each month in spousal support, including contributions to her retirement account. This support began in October 2017 and will continue until one of them dies, she remarries, or a court changes or ends the agreement – whichever happens first.

It looks like Baskett hasn’t remarried, so David is likely still paying her monthly alimony. We don’t know what she does for work now, or if she’s retired, but she reported having no income back in 2016.

David also agreed to maintain a $250,000 life insurance policy with her as the beneficiary, and he would cover her legal fees up to $5,000 – costs he had originally asked her to pay out of pocket.

Baskett previously received the house they shared as a couple, and David’s name was taken off the property deed. However, she has since sold that house in Arroyo Grande, where the Efron brothers spent their childhoods.

The property sold for $185,520, but David agreed to pay an extra $10,480, bringing the final sale price to $196,000, to ensure the deal went through.

In January 2018, a judge approved a payment plan for David, allowing him to pay $196,000 in two parts: $126,000 in cash and the remaining $70,000 from his retirement account. This approval came after David made a formal request.

Zac, now 38, was deeply upset by his parents’ divorce. According to Radar Online, the split had a significant impact on him. Friends told the publication in 2019 that they were worried he might struggle with old habits, fearing the divorce could trigger a relapse.

Let’s talk about prioritizing wellness. Back in 2013, I made the really brave decision to seek help for some struggles I was having with alcohol and drugs. It was a tough year, and I actually went through a treatment program twice – once, and then again later in the year to really solidify my recovery. It was a vital step for me, and I’m sharing this because it’s a reminder that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

In a 2014 interview with the Hollywood Reporter, he admitted to drinking heavily and also using drugs.

As a longtime fan, I’ve been following the Efron family, and while Zac and his sister haven’t spoken publicly about their parents’ split, everything seems amicable between them. There doesn’t appear to be any lingering negativity or bad blood, which is really nice to see.

At his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, where his parents came together in 2023, Zac Efron shared how grateful he was for his parents. He explained they supported him and believed in him, even when he doubted himself, and that he wouldn’t be where he is today without them.

Looking back, I realize it was a huge ask to drive me three hours from Arroyo Grande to auditions when I was fifteen, especially considering how unlikely I was to get the part.

‘And I think they sacrificed a lot to support me throughout the years.’ 

During an October episode of the Office Of podcast, 33-year-old Dylan, known for being a finalist on Dancing with the Stars, became emotional when talking about his father.

He said his dad is incredibly supportive. He was getting emotional because while looking for old baby pictures for his appearance on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ his dad sent him a bunch of them, which really touched him.

When I look at pictures of my dad holding me when I was little, I see a lot of him in myself. He’s always been there for me, taking care of me.

Dylan described having a very close relationship with his father, who was a constant presence throughout his childhood, attending all of his sporting events. They share many similarities, and Dylan considers his father a lifelong source of strength and support. He used to call his father daily after work, and he’s certain his father is proud of him now.

Fans haven’t seen much of Zac Efron’s stepmother, as she’s rarely in photos with the family. However, her daughter, Olivia, became a standout moment when she joined Zac during a performance on Dancing with the Stars, where he honored his brother Dylan.

Last week’s dance competition ended with Dylan finishing in fourth place. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson were the winners, taking home the Mirrorball Trophy as champions of season 34.

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2025-12-01 05:05