Stephen Collins’ Dark Secrets Exposed

by

Content warning: This story discusses sexual abuse of minors.

11 seasons made “7th Heaven” stand out from other successful prime-time shows, and it wasn’t only due to launching the promising career of Jessica Biel.

This WB series focuses on the Camden family – a pastor father, homemaker mother, and their children (initially five, then twins join in season three). The show addresses common teenage challenges such as dating, sexuality, substance abuse, racism, and academic difficulties, yet it does so in a manner that is undeniably wholesome and centered around faith and family.

Barry Watson, David Gallagher, Beverley Mitchell, Mackenzie Rosman, and a few others created quite a ruckus under Biel’s watchful eye. However, it was Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks who skillfully portrayed the roles of Eric and Annie Camden, the diligent yet ever-present parents on the show, always keeping an eye on their lively brood.

In 2006, after wrapping up its final season that played a part in the successful merger of WB and UPN into The CW, the cast graciously parted ways. If things had unfolded as planned, possibly there would have been a reboot or a special event bringing everyone back together, much like a family reunion.

Instead, a 2012 audio recording – initially released by TMZ in October 2014 – featuring Collins seemingly admitting to sexual misconduct with three underage girls during a counseling session with his former wife, Faye Grant, essentially brought an end to his four-decade career in Hollywood.

It wasn’t at all unexpected that actors aren’t the same as their on-screen personas, but it still came as an astonishment.

Or:

Even though it’s not uncommon for actors to differ from their roles, this instance was truly stunning.

Therefore, in 2016, Hicks told TMZ that while they could continue the Camden family story, it would necessitate starting with a scene featuring Stephen’s coffin.

On March 24, Investigation Discovery will be featuring Collins as the focus of their new series, “Hollywood Demons.” This series explores the troubling accusations against the actor, who is now 77 years old, and how the scandal affected the pristine reputation of the popular and wholesome show, “7th Heaven.

In both New York and Los Angeles, he was under investigation by the police, a fact that was verified then. However, no charges were brought against him because the legal limit for prosecuting such cases had already passed.

topmob news attempted to get a response from Collins regarding the show, however, they didn’t receive any reply.

Back in December 2014, he openly acknowledged engaging in improper sexual behavior with minors many years prior, as stated in his interview with People magazine.

“Forty years ago, I committed an action that was deeply regrettable and wrong,” he acknowledged earlier. “Ever since then, I have been making amends for it. Recently, news outlets published a recording from a private therapy session with my former wife, Faye Grant, in January 2012. This session was recorded without the therapist’s or my permission.”

In his explanation, he clarified that the recording led to interpretations and hints about his actions that greatly exceeded the reality of what happened. Despite the challenge, he expressed a desire for everyone to understand the actual facts.

In a conversation with ABC News, the individual stated that the allegations made against them by Stephen were untrue, adding that it seemed like Stephen was trying to shift blame away from his own actions. They expressed their hope that Stephen would receive the necessary help.

In a later conversation with Katie Couric on ABC News’ 20/20, Collins clarified that he did not identify as a pedophile, instead describing the inappropriate behaviors with the three underage girls he had acknowledged as individual and unrelated instances.

He clarified that he has no physical or sexual attraction towards children whatsoever. If any other claims of misconduct against him surface, he firmly believes they would be untrue.

In the ID documentary, one of Collins’ alleged victims shares her account for the first time on camera, along with interviews from several former cast members of “7th Heaven” and the WB network. The team behind the production claims they reached out to over a hundred contacts associated with Collins, but most either refused to participate or did not respond.

Continue for the most shocking revelations from the “Stephen Collins, American Dad” episode of Hollywood Demons.

In the Investigation Discovery series titled “Hollywood Demons: Stephen Collins, American Dad,” April Price claimed that Stephen Collins had multiple instances of inappropriate exposure towards her during the summer of 1983, with her being only 13 years old at the time.

TopMob News contacted Collins for his response regarding the claims outlined on the show, but have yet to receive a reply. In a December 2014 statement to People, he acknowledged that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with three underage girls, approximately 20, 32, and 40 years prior.

In the spring of 1983, Price traveled to Los Angeles to see her aunt who was working as a producer. Her neighbor there was a man named Steve Collins, famous for his ABC series “Tales of the Gold Monkey”. Being a big fan, Price was starstruck and approached him for an autographed headshot. True to his word, he sent her a photo, inscribing it with the words, “To April, come out and see us again some time,” and signing it, “Love, Steve Collins.” This is as depicted on the series.

During her summer stay in Los Angeles, Price claims, she observed Collins strolling nude through a courtyard that could be seen from her aunt’s apartment, en route to the laundry room.

A short while after, Price stated, she inquired of Collins if he could assist her in setting up her Atari system within her aunt’s sitting room. Upon entering, she claimed, he turned around and she noticed that his jeans were completely undone, revealing himself entirely.

Price expressed profound shock and discomfort, yet she didn’t wish to offend him since he was considerate, friendly, and assisting her. Consequently, she attempted to act as if everything was normal.

At another time, Price recounted that she was enjoying her breakfast in the courtyard when, clad in a bathrobe, Collins joined her and praised her attractive feet. However, when she tried to brush off the comment, he advised her to get better at accepting compliments.

According to Price, just as Collins was about to depart L.A. for home, he asked if she’d like to see some TV memorabilia in his apartment. Even though she was still upset with him, believing he wouldn’t repeat his past actions, she agreed. While she was browsing his keepsakes, Collins stepped away briefly and returned naked, Price claimed on the show.

Price admitted that she was truly frightened, and to cope, she tried to become as stiff, compact, and tense as possible. After about 20 minutes, she noticed her aunt arriving at Collins’ apartment via a window, which provided her with an opportunity to depart.

In October 2014, following the publication by TMZ of a therapy session recording from 2012 involving Collins and his ex-wife Faye Grant, which appeared to show him confessing to sexually abusing underage girls, an unidentified woman submitted a police report claiming that Collins had inappropriately exposed himself to her at a West Hollywood apartment complex back in 1983.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve been eagerly following every development about my beloved figure, and I can’t help but share the latest updates. Initially, it was reported that L.A. County Sheriff’s officials were looking into an old case where the statute of limitations had expired, but they were also examining any more recent instances of alleged misconduct. At the time, authorities in both L.A. and New York were actively probing accusations from four women. Regrettably, my hero was never charged.

In the recording, Collins mentioned a girl whose name was censored, stating that she was the aunt’s child who resided in the house next door.

In the ID program, Price explained that upon listening to the recording, she immediately recognized it was about her. The following day, she contacted the police.

Price felt the weight of her silence grow heavier upon learning about Collins’ role in 7th Heaven. She began to ponder if his actions towards her could be the beginning of a long and arduous journey.

In an unexpected turn of events, she relocated to Los Angeles for work in show business, and it was in 1997 that she encountered Collins once more. At this time, Price admitted that he took advantage of the situation to offer her a sincere apology.

In another context, she had been creating affiliate promotions for CBS, as she remembered. On the call sheet, she noticed him. “The instant our eyes met,” Price explained, “he recognized me.” Later, when there were no others nearby, he approached her and confessed, “‘I must make it clear to you, what I did was incredibly wrong, I deeply regret it, could you possibly find it in your heart to forgive me.’

Price indeed seemed improved. She recollected thinking, “He truly regrets, he genuinely feels remorse. Hence, I held my tongue.” However, she went on to say, “In retrospect, I’m not convinced of its authenticity. I believe it was more about damage control.

Back in 2014, Collins shared with People magazine that he had a chance, fifteen years later, to offer an apology to one of the three women he had behaved inappropriately towards.

In a sincere manner, I expressed my apologies, and she responded with exceptional kindness. However, having discovered during my personal growth that being straightforward about such sensitive topics might unintentionally reopen old wounds for them, I’ve chosen not to engage directly with the other two women. One of these individuals is now in her 50s, while the other is still in her 30s.

Kyle Searles, who started on the show 7th Heaven in 2004 as Mac, the good friend of Tyler Hoechlin‘s character Martin, remembered Collins as a particularly friendly and low-key individual. He would commute to set in an old Prius, and during breaks, he’d engage with the extras, making everyone feel comfortable and included.

In ID’s “Hollywood Demons”, Searles expressed, “I’ve often thought, I wish to emulate him.” Or simply, “He has always inspired me to strive towards being like him.

The actor remarked that “7th Heaven” served as a benchmark for him regarding what a film set should be like. Reflecting on his entire career, he identified only a few individuals who significantly influenced him. Stephen was undoubtedly among them and likely at the top of the list.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but echo the heartfelt sentiments shared by Jeremy London. He choked back tears as he reminisced about being let go from ‘7th Heaven’ following two seasons amidst a wave of personal hardships. In reference to Collins, he poignantly expressed, “I longed for him to be my father. Even now, I yearn for him to still be my father.

When London first heard the story, he thought it had to be about someone else.

The actor from Mallrats stated, “I had heard some noises about it, but I didn’t connect it with my Stephen Collins because there’s absolutely no way that my Stephen Collins is facing such accusations. One doesn’t accuse innocent people like him of such things.

Garth Ancier, the original president of programming at The WB network responsible for 7th Heaven, agreed in the ID series, stating, “It bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Stephen Collins I knew.” However, he noted that when he initially responded, he had not yet been aware of the details Collins confessed to in the recording.

According to Searles, he chose not to listen to the recording, explaining that his action at the time was similar to burying one’s head in the sand, a way of avoiding or ignoring a difficult situation.

For the initial time, Searles is observed viewing Collins’ 2014 20/20 interview – during which he asserted that he was not a pedophile but acknowledged inappropriate touching with a girl aged ten and exposing himself to two other minors.

Searles expressed feeling quite anxious, mentioning he wasn’t aware that one of the girls was only ten years old. He described having a heavy sensation in his stomach.

He thought, “An incident occurred, and I was unaware of the details as the news unfolded.” Expressing his strong feelings, he added, “It’s someone who is dear to me they are targeting. Just thinking about it still stirs up anger within me.

In both my role as a father and considering the young victims, London stated emphatically, “If that were my child, Stephen Collins would not be alive.

Hollywood Demons premieres Mondays at 9/8c on ID and streams on Max.

Read More

2025-03-25 15:19