Stephen Collins On television, Stephen Collins was well known as the wholesome father and reverend on the WB show “7th Heaven.” His life was turned upside down when his sordid past suddenly came to light in October 2014, costing him personally and professionally. The actor’s journey reflects a stark contrast between his public persona and the serious allegations that have overshadowed his career. This article explores Collins’ life a decade after his confession to molesting minors. It analyzes his political context, personal relationships, and how his former co-stars are reacting to the ongoing scandal.
Born on October 1, 1947, in Des Moines, Iowa, Collins was raised in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. His acclaim came from his portrayal of Hugh Sloan in the Oscar-nominated iconic film, “All the President’s Men.” That movie, released on Christmas Day 1976, starred Hollywood heavyweights Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford. As a result, his career blossomed for almost 40 years. That eventually all led to his most well-known character – Reverend Eric Camden on “7th Heaven,” which ran from 1996 to 2007. Collins’ career took a quick nosedive when evidence came out of his long history of sexual predation.
In October 2014, a stranger leaked a secret audio recording compiled from a legalized marriage therapy session held in January 2012. In that audio tape, Collins admitted to forcing himself on at least three minor aged girls. One of these girls was said to be a niece of his first wife, Marjorie Weinman. Those shocking revelations were met with fierce condemnation. Because of this, Collins was pulled from a number of projects, including the movie “Ted 2.”
Collins’ admission was troubling and multifaceted. “Forty years ago, I did something terribly wrong that I deeply regret. I have been working to atone for it ever since,” he stated, reflecting on the gravity of his actions. He expressed remorse for the pain caused by his behavior, stating, “I want you to understand what I did. I know it was extremely wrong. I really apologize for it, if I ever made you uncomfortable.”
The fallout from the scandal impacted not only Collins, but those surrounding him as well. During the contentious divorce from his second wife, Faye Grant, the recording became public knowledge, further complicating their separation. In the wake of his damning confession and subsequent outrage, Collins had a steep hill to climb in order to restore his reputation.
In September 2024, former co-stars from “7th Heaven” addressed Collins’ behavior during their rewatch podcast titled “Catching Up With the Camdens.” Mackenzie Rosman, who played one of his on-screen children, commented on the situation: “As we rewatch these episodes, it would be impossible not to talk about Stephen because he was such a big part of the show and our lives. That said, we want to make clear that we did not have negative or harmful experiences with Stephen in any way. She also emphasized that Collins would not participate in the podcast, stating, “Our hope for this podcast is to reconnect with you, our fans, to relive some 90s nostalgia and to share our fondest memories of 7th Heaven.”
Another actress and longtime Collins collaborator, April Price, expressed her experience with Collins after the abuses were exposed. She recalled a conversation where he acknowledged his actions during a therapy session: “He was very intense. He said, ‘I want you to understand what I did. I know it was extremely wrong. I really apologize for it.’” Price showed her professionalism with every encounter. Former Producers Guild of America president Gail Berman definitively did not want to play the rest of her career in the industry under those conditions.
Even though Collins’ allegations led to criminal investigations by state attorneys general, most of the wrongdoing alleged was already outside of the statute of limitations for prosecution. April Price noted that detectives had contacted her following the allegations but were constrained by legal limitations: “They kept in very close contact with me, but they knew that the statute of limitations to prosecute was up.”
Collins has found time to begin dating — of all people — Jenny Nagel. She’s a “superfan” of “7th Heaven” and almost a decade younger than him. This unconventional romance has inspired extensive conversations about age dynamics. In parallel, Collins has been trying to adjust to life after the scandal and the perceptions that have emerged since then.
Since 2014, Collins has swum upstream against great controversies and challenges. Now, he appears to be moving in the direction of individual accountability. He has publicly stated his commitment to atoning for his past actions while recognizing the long-lasting impact on his victims. In addressing these issues, he commented: “I’ve decided to address these issues publicly because two months ago, various news organizations published a recording made by my then-wife, Faye Grant, during a confidential marriage therapy session in January 2012.” Last month, Peters admitted that to reopen the old wounds for those he injured would be a legitimate concern.
The further we get from the Collins story, the more it should remind us that fame can corrupt any effort to hold individuals accountable for their behavior. Yet he can never completely elude those past shadows. His refusal to passively accept his past while continuing to challenge himself to do better proves he is on the path to redemption.