Disgraced 7th Heaven actor Stephen Collins’ child sexual abuse scandal subject of bombshell documentary

Disgraced 7th Heaven actor Stephen Collins’ child molestation scandal is to be the subject of a bombshell new documentary.

Collins, 77, known for portraying lovable dad and pastor Eric Camden on the WB show, saw his career implode in 2014 after he admitted to sexually abusing three underage girls from 1973-1994.

Collins’ past misconduct came to light in October of 2014, when he was heard in audio published on TMZ speaking in 2012 about sex acts with minors he had committed during the years 1973, 1982 and 1994.

He insisted he had inappropriately touched a minor on only one occasion, in 1973, but went on to expose himself to two other underage girls between then and 1994. 

During a taped sit-down with Katie Couric for 20/20 that month, he denied being a pedophile. He was investigated by police but never charged with any crimes as the statue of limitations was up.

New six part Investigation Discovery documentary series, Hollywood Demons’ premiere episode, Stephen Collins: America’s Dad, ‘tells the story of Collins and other stars who are far from the characters they play’, per People.

Disgraced 7th Heaven actor Stephen Collins’ child molestation scandal is to be the subject of a bombshell new documentary – pictured 2014

Collins, 77, known for portraying lovable dad and pastor Eric Camden on the WB show (pictured 1997 with the cast), saw his career implode in 2014 after he admitted to sexually abusing three underage girls from 1973-1994

A harrowing teaser features archive footage of Collins discussing the success of 7th Heaven years before his misconduct came to light.

The film will also include a ‘shocking, tell-all interview with one of Collins’ alleged victims’ and 7th Heaven cast members – who condemned Collins in September 2024 – including Jeremy London will also discuss how they felt when they heard about the allegations against Collins.

Addiction specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky and culture writer Scaachi Koul will appear to share their perspectives on each scandal. 

The series pulls back ‘the glamorous curtain of fame to expose the hidden struggles, sacrifices and scandals of life in the spotlight.

 ‘Each gripping two-hour episode features accounts from Hollywood insiders, project collaborators, and survivors who endured harrowing abuse and struggles.’

Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills castmate Taylor Armstrong also features in the trailer, saying: ‘The majority of people don’t know the true story.’

The series also includes Child Stars Gone Violent about the ‘path of crime, addiction and violence’ that has plagued former young stars – with Brian Bonsall of Family Ties and Dee Jay Daniels of The Hughleys appearing. 

New six part Investigation Discovery documentary series, Hollywood Demons’ premiere episode, Stephen Collins: America’s Dad, ‘tells the story of Collins and other stars who are far from the characters they play

Collins’ past misconduct came to light in October of 2014, when he was heard in audio published on TMZ speaking in 2012 about sex acts with minors he had committed during the years 1973, 1982 and 1994

During an interview with Couric Collins said that while his actions were ‘terrible’, he does not fit the definition of a pedophile – pictured 1996 with Catherine Hicks on 7th Heaven

Other episodes include The Dark Side of the Power Rangers on April 7; Housewives Gone Bad premiering April 14; The Real Iron Claw on April 21; and Stalking the Stars premiering on April 28.

After Collins’ misconduct came to light he subsequently submitted a statement to People in December of 2014 saying that he had ‘not had an impulse to act out in any such way’ in the two decades since the last incident.

‘Forty years ago, I did something terribly wrong that I deeply regret. I have been working to atone for it ever since,’ he said in the statement. ‘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.

‘This session was recorded without the therapist’s or my knowledge or consent. On the recording, I described events that took place 20, 32 and 40 years ago.

Collins said, ‘The publication of the recording has resulted in assumptions and innuendos about what I did that go far beyond what actually occurred. As difficult as this is, I want people to know the truth.’

Collins lost a number of roles he was playing at the time, while submitting his resignation to the board of SAG-AFTRA. Reruns of 7th Heaven were taken off the air in the wake of the story.

During an interview with Couric Collins said that while his actions were ‘terrible’, he does not fit the definition of a pedophile. 

‘A pedophile is someone who is mainly or wholly attracted to children. I’m not,’ he told Couric.

‘I had a distortion in my thinking where I acted out in those ways. 

‘But I’m absolutely not attracted, physically or sexually attracted to children. I’m just not.’   

He also said that he was a victim of several unwanted sexual advances from an adult woman in ‘various states of undress’ when he was a boy. This lead to what he called ‘distorted thinking.’

The WB/The CW series ran for 11 seasons from 1996-2007 

‘I did have someone in my life when I was between the ages of 10 and 15, an older woman, who repeatedly exposed herself to me,’ Collins told the Yahoo Global News.

He told Couric his victims were 10, 13 and 14 – and he wasn’t trying to bring up the older woman as an ‘excuse.’

‘That distorted my perception in such a way that some part of me felt – I never felt like I was molested. That word never crossed my mind as a 10 to 15-year-old boy. It was a very intense experience.’

‘I think somewhere in my brain I got the equation that, ‘Well, this isn’t so terrible. This person who I trust is doing it…There was a power that she had over me that was intense. … It’s also about a very distorted form of approval, he continued, adding that the woman was in various states of undress or completely undressed ‘quite a few times.’

Collins added that he’s not ‘blaming’ the woman for his actions, but ‘I think that’s an aspect that went into my own distorted thinking as a young man. It’s the thing that makes the most sense to me’ when answering the question of ‘Why?’

Collins told Couric that he has is not attracted to children, and that the one incident in 1973, when he did make physical contact with one of the girls, woke him up and stopped him immediately from going further.

It was the opposite of excitement or gratification,’ he said. 

Hollywood Demons premieres Monday, March 24, at 9pm ET/PT on ID and streaming on Max.