He Insisted He Was 'Not Attracted to Children' — Yet Admitted to Doing Something 'Terribly Wrong'

Mar. 15, 2025

Stephen Collins.Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images

At one time, actorStephen Collinsseemed to have it all: fame, wealth and the undying love of legions of fans.

The handsome actor who starred as Jake Cutter in ABC’s adventure series,Tales of the Gold Monkey,and Diane Keaton’s wayward husband in the hit feature film,The First Wives Club, was perhaps best known for his role as wholesome pastor and dad Eric Camden on the WB series,7th Heaven.

But in Hollywood, Calif., the land of make-believe and illusion, not everything is as it seems.

The investigation came after a recording of Collins allegedly confessing his transgressions to a therapist was leaked to TMZ.

Collins made headlines again in 2014 when he released a lengthy statement to PEOPLE admitting he had inappropriate sexual conduct with three female minors over twenty years, from 1973 to 1994.

Shortly after, Collins told Katie Couric in an exclusive interview that aired onABC News’20/20that he was “absolutely not attracted, physically or sexually attracted to children.”

Collins’ shocking fall from grace is detailed in Investigation Discovery’s new six-part series,Hollywood Demons.

Hollywood Demons, ID’s six-part series.ID/Investigation Discovery

ID/Investigation Discovery

Premiering Monday, March 24, from 9 to 11 p.m. ET/PT on ID and streaming on Max, the series features six mini-documentaries that pull back “the glamorous curtain of fame to expose the hidden struggles, sacrifices and scandals of life in the spotlight,” according to an ID press release.

“Each gripping two-hour episode features accounts from Hollywood insiders, project collaborators, and survivors who endured harrowing abuse and struggles,” ID says in its release. (The trailer is exclusively debuted below.)

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

“The majority of people don’t know the true story,” formerReal Housewives of Beverly Hillscastmate Taylor Armstrong says in the trailer.

The two-hour premiere,Stephen Collins: America’s Dad,tells the story of Collins and other stars who are “far from” the characters they play, according to ID.

The episode includes a shocking, tell-all interview with one of Collins’ alleged victims and with7th Heavencast members includingJeremy London, who open up about how they felt when they learned about the accusations.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Covering some of Hollywood’s biggest scandals, the series includes an episode called “Child Stars Gone Violent,” premiering March 31, about the “path of crime, addiction and violence” that ensued for some young celebrities once their moment in the spotlight had faded.

Former child actors Brian Bonsall ofFamily Tiesand Dee Jay Daniels ofThe Hughleysopen up about “the harsh reality of life after fame,” according to ID.

Episodes to follow are: “The Dark Side of the Power Rangers,” premiering Monday, April 7; “Housewives Gone Bad,” premiering Monday, April 14; “The Real Iron Claw,” premiering Monday April 21; and “Stalking the Stars,” premiering on Monday, April 28.

Each episode airs from 9 to 11 p.m. ET on ID/Investigation Discovery and will be available to stream on Max starting March 24.

source: people.com