‘7th Heaven’ Stars Open Up About Former TV Dad Stephen Collins’ Sexual Abuse History

The childhood stars of the series 7th Heaven, Beverly Mitchell, David Gallagher and Mackenzie Rosman, are now denouncing their former television father’s alleged sexual misconduct in a new podcast. 

Three months after launching their podcast Catching Up With the Camdens, the cast members have returned to rewatch their show, and they begin by sharing their thoughts on old co-star Stephen Collins. 

In acknowledging Collins’ behavior, Gallagher led the podcast by saying, “All forms of abuse — sexual abuse of any kind — it’s inexcusable. And victims of abuse need to be shown compassion, and they should be given support.”

Rosman added, “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,” noting that none of them had any “inappropriate experiences” with Collins.

“Stephen will not be joining us on this podcast,” Mitchell declared, noting that they “do not excuse or condone his behavior.”

While Collins played Reverend Eric Camden on the show, happily raising seven kids with his wife, his life off-screen was much darker. 

In one of his therapy sessions, Collins was allegedly taped by his ex-wife, Faye Grant, admitting to sexual misconduct with three female minors from 1973 to 1994. On the tape, the actor could reportedly be heard acknowledging that one of the young girls was a relative of his first wife. 

Stephen’s confession led to his resignation from the National Board of the Screen Actors Guild, being dropped from Ted 2 and 7th Heaven reruns were pulled from television. Authorities decided not to prosecute the actor, who, at the time, claimed he hadn’t engaged in inappropriate behavior with minors since. 

Collins admitted to the acts in 2014, saying, “Forty years ago, I did something terribly wrong that I deeply regret. I have been working to atone for it ever since.”