In a chilling exploration of celebrity misconduct, Investigation Discovery’s new docuseries, “Stephen Collins, America’s Dad,” revisits the disturbing allegations against actor Stephen Collins, best known for his role as the moral Reverend Eric Camden on the WB’s “7th Heaven.” The first episode of the six-part series, airing Monday at 9 ET/PT and streaming on Max, sheds light on Collins’ offscreen behavior, which starkly contrasts his on-screen persona.
The documentary revisits the bombshell revelations from 2014, where Collins, now 77, was accused of exposing himself to three young girls. It features interviews with former “7th Heaven” actors Jeremy London and Kyle Searles, as well as April Price, a survivor of Collins’ abuse, and Dr. Drew Pinsky, who offers expert analysis. Despite reaching out to over 100 of Collins’ associates, the producers reported that most declined to participate.
April Price, who was just 13 when she encountered Collins in 1983, recounts her traumatic experiences. “All I know is I was supremely shocked,” she recalls, describing how Collins exposed himself to her while helping her set up a gaming console. In a more alarming incident, Collins lured her into his apartment under the pretense of showing her memorabilia. “And my stomach just fell, and now I’m actually scared,” Price remembers, reflecting on the moment he returned completely naked. She managed to escape when she saw her aunt returning home.
Years later, in 1997, Collins approached Price on a set and apologized for his past actions, saying, “I want you to know what I did was extremely wrong. I feel terrible about it. Please forgive me,” which she initially viewed as sincere but now interprets as an attempt at damage control.
The documentary also reveals leaked therapy tapes from 2012, where Collins, unaware he was being recorded by his then-wife Faye Grant, discussed his abusive behavior. In these tapes, he admitted to exposing himself to a girl starting at age 10 and forcing her to touch him, as well as mentioning Price and another victim.
Jeremy London, who played a minister on “7th Heaven,” expressed his shock upon learning of Collins’ admissions. “I’m a dad, first and foremost, above everything else,” he stated. “Stephen Collins would be a dead man if that was my child.”
Despite the gravity of these allegations, Collins has not faced any criminal or civil charges, as the statutes of limitations have expired for Price and the girl abused in 1973. The identity of the girl Collins exposed himself to in 1994 remains undisclosed.