Stephen Collins

Stephen Weaver Collins (born October 1, 1947) is a former American actor. He is known for playing Eric Camden on the WB/CW television series 7th Heaven from 1996 to 2007. Afterwards, Collins played the roles of Dayton King on the ABC television series No Ordinary Family and Gene Porter in the NBC television series Revolution, father of Elizabeth Mitchell's character, Rachel Matheson. Before 7th Heaven, Collins was known for his roles as Commander Willard Decker in the 1979 film Star Trek: The Motion Picture and fighter pilot Jake Cutter in the ABC television series Tales of the Gold Monkey.

Stephen Collins
Collins in 2014
Born
Stephen Weaver Collins

(1947-10-01) October 1, 1947 (age 76)
Alma materAmherst College
OccupationActor
Years active1974–2014
Spouses
Marjorie Weinman
(m. 1970; div. 1978)
(m. 1985; div. 2015)
Children1

In 2014, his career ended after he confessed to sexual misconduct against multiple minors.[1][2]

Early life

Stephen Collins was born on October 1, 1947, in Des Moines, Iowa, to mother Madeleine (née Robertson) and father Cyrus Stickney Collins, an airline executive.[3][4] Collins was raised with his two older brothers in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, and attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, graduating cum laude.[5] While at Amherst, he played bass guitar in a number of bands.[6] He was also then a singing member of the Amherst College Zumbyes.

Career

Stephen Collins is known for his role as Eric Camden in the television drama series 7th Heaven during the series' run from 1996 to 2007[7] and for his role as Captain Willard Decker in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979).[8] His other notable television credits include Jake Cutter in the cult series Tales of the Gold Monkey and his role in Tattingers, as well as guest appearances in The Waltons, Barnaby Jones, Charlie's Angels, and numerous miniseries and television films. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work opposite Ann-Margret in the miniseries The Two Mrs. Grenvilles (1987), and played John F. Kennedy in the miniseries A Woman Named Jackie (1991), which won the Emmy for Best Miniseries. He also played the lead role opposite Lauren Hutton in the television film The Rhinemann Exchange (1977), based on Robert Ludlum's bestselling novel.[9]

Collins was above-the-title billed in Loving Couples (1980) with Shirley MacLaine, James Coburn and Susan Sarandon. He co-starred with Diane Keaton in both The First Wives Club (1996) and Because I Said So (2007). He has co-starred with Meredith Baxter in three films, All the President's Men, A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story, and Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter, both of which were television films broadcast on CBS in 1992.

In the 2010–11 television season, Collins starred in the short-lived ABC series No Ordinary Family.[10] On ABC's Brothers & Sisters, he played a potential love interest for Ron Rifkin's character Saul Holden. Collins appeared in season eight of The Office playing Andy Bernard's father in the episode, "Garden Party".[11][12]

In 2013, Collins began appearing in the NBC series Revolution as Dr. Gene Porter, the leader of the town of Willoughby and father of Rachel Matheson (played by Elizabeth Mitchell).[13] and in two episodes of Falling Skies in season three. Collins' final guest spots include The Fosters, Devious Maids, and Penance.[14]

Personal life

Stephen Collins was married to Marjorie Weinman from 1970 to 1978.[15][16] In 1985, he married actress Faye Grant, whom he had met on the set of Tales of the Gold Monkey in 1982.[17] Together they have a daughter, Kate, who was born in 1989. They separated in 2012, and, after 30 years of marriage, a final divorce decree was issued in January 2015.[18][19]

Collins is an Episcopalian[20] and a practitioner of Transcendental Meditation (TM) and has taken part in the advanced TM Yogic Flying technique since 1980.[21] Until October 2014, he was a national co-director of the Committee for Stress-Free Schools, which advocates practicing TM in schools and funds TM research.[22]

Sexual misconduct against minors

On October 7, 2014, the New York City Police Department began investigating Collins after an audio tape leaked to the media revealed a male voice, purported to be that of Collins, admitting to past sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 14.[17]

A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson stated that Collins had been investigated by the department in 2012 after receiving a claim from 18 years earlier regarding sexual abuse. The LAPD further stated that its investigation did not allow it to "substantiate the allegation" against Collins.[23][24]

In a December 2014 interview with People, Collins admitted that he committed "inappropriate sexual conduct with three female minors" in 1973, 1982, and 1994.[1][2]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1974The Michele Lee ShowDr. Steven MayhillTelevision pilot
1975The WaltonsTodd ClarkeEpisode: "The Abdication"
1976Brink's: The Great RobberyAgent Donald NashTelevision film
1977The Rhinemann ExchangeDavid SpauldingMiniseries
1978Charlie's AngelsSteve CarmodyEpisode: "Angel Come Home"
1980The Henderson MonsterPete CasimirTelevision film
1981Great PerformancesMorton FullertonEpisode: "Edith Wharton: Looking Back"
Summer SolsticeYoung Joshua TurnerTelevision film
1982Inside the Third ReichKarl Hanke
Tales of the Gold MonkeyJake CutterMain role
1983ChiefsBilly LeeMiniseries
1984ThreesomePeter HattenTelevision film
Dark MirrorJim Eiseley
1985The HitchhikerTodd FieldsEpisode: "And If We Dream"
1986Hold the DreamShane O'NeilMiniseries
1987The Two Mrs. GrenvillesBilly Grenville Jr.
1988Weekend WarCaptain John DeasonTelevision film
TattingersNick TattingerMain role (13 episodes)
1990Working It OutDavid Stuart
1991A Woman Named JackieJohn F. KennedyMiniseries
1992A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick StoryDan BroderickTelevision film
Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, The Last Chapter
1993RememberClee Donovan
The Disappearance of NoraJack Fremont
1994ScarlettAshley WilkesMiniseries
1995A Family DividedRoger BillingsleyTelevision film
SistersGabriel 'Gabe' SorensonRecurring
1996On Seventh AvenueTom AikenTelevision film
The Babysitter's SeductionBill Bartrand
An Unexpected FamilySam
1996–20077th HeavenRev. Eric CamdenMain role; directed 3 episodes
1998An Unexpected LifeSamTelevision film
1999As Time Runs OutDan Carlin
Batman BeyondTony Maychek/EarthmoverVoice, episode: "Earth Mover"[25]
2001Jumping ShipGardenerTelevision film
2002State of GraceNorris SinclairEpisode: "Sophisticated Ladies"
2005Celebrity Poker ShowdownHimselfQualified for the first tournament
2006–2007It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaBruce Mathis2 episodes
2008Law & Order: Special Victims UnitPierson BartlettEpisode: "Trade"
Every Second CountsJoe PrestonTelevision film
2009–2011Private PracticeThe Captain4 episodes
2010No Ordinary FamilyDayton KingMain role
Brothers & SistersCharlieEpisode: "A Righteous Kiss"
2011The OfficeWalter BernardEpisode: "Garden Party"
2013Falling SkiesPresident Benjamin Hathaway2 episodes
ScandalReed WallaceEpisode: "Happy Birthday, Mr. President"
The FostersRev. AdamsEpisode: "I Do"
Devious MaidsPhilippe Delatour6 episodes
RevolutionGene PorterMain role
2014Avengers AssembleHoward StarkVoice, episode: "Thanos Rising"[25]

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
1976All the President's MenHugh W. Sloan Jr.
1977Between the LinesMichael
1978FedoraYoung Barry Detweiler
1979The PromiseMichael Hillyard
Star Trek: The Motion PictureCaptain/Commander Willard Decker
1980Loving CouplesGreg Plunkett
1985Brewster's MillionsWarren Cox
1986On Dangerous GroundDr. David LowellAlternate title: Choke Canyon
Jumpin' Jack FlashMarty Phillips
1989The Big PictureAttorney
1990StellaStephen Dallas
1992My New GunGerald Bender
1996The First Wives ClubAaron Paradis
1999Drive Me CrazyMr. Maris
2003The CommissionJoseph A. Ball
2006Blood DiamondAmbassador Walker
2007Because I Said SoJoe Dresden
2008Hole in the Paper SkyMr. Benson
2012The Three StoogesMr. Harter
2014PenancePriestShort

Discography

YearTitleNotes
1993Sondheim: Putting It TogetherOff Broadway cast recording
2003Stephen Collins
2005The Hits of Rick Nelson

Published works

  • Collins, Stephen (1994). Eye Contact. Bantam. ISBN 978-0553095852.
  • Collins, Stephen (1998). Double Exposure: A Novel. William Morrow. ISBN 978-0688158934.

References

External links

Preceded by
Jonathan Hadary
October 31, 2006 – June 5, 2008
Actor playing King Arthur on Spamalot
June 5, 2008 –
September 14, 2008
Succeeded by
Michael Siberry
September 16, 2008 –
January 11, 2009