The Dark Side of Reverend Camden: "Hollywood Demons" Docuseries Re-Examines Stephen Collins’ Abuse

The idyllic image of Reverend Eric Camden, the insightful and morally upright patriarch from the WB’s long-running family drama "7th Heaven," is irrevocably tarnished. A new documentary series, "Hollywood Demons," produced by Investigation Discovery (ID), unflinchingly revisits the devastating revelations that shattered Stephen Collins’ carefully constructed public persona, exposing a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned decades. The premiere episode, titled "Stephen Collins, America’s Dad," delves into the details of Collins’ abuse of young girls, events that first came to light in 2014 and forever altered the perception of the beloved television clergyman.

The documentary, which began streaming on Max this Monday, is the first installment of a six-part series exploring the darker aspects of the entertainment industry, tackling subjects such as celebrity stalkers, the struggles faced by child stars, and the challenges confronting cast members of Bravo’s "Real Housewives" franchise. However, the focus on Collins and his egregious acts sets a stark and disturbing tone for the series.

The "Stephen Collins, America’s Dad" episode features interviews with individuals directly impacted by Collins’ actions, including "7th Heaven" actors Jeremy London and Kyle Searles, and April Price, a survivor who bravely recounts her harrowing experiences with Collins. The episode also includes commentary from Dr. Drew Pinsky, providing psychological analysis of the situation.

Despite the gravity of the subject matter, the producers faced significant challenges in securing participation from those associated with Collins. Reportedly, more than 100 individuals with connections to Collins were contacted, but the vast majority either declined to be interviewed or failed to respond. This reluctance underscores the sensitive and uncomfortable nature of the allegations, suggesting a lingering sense of unease and potentially, a desire to distance themselves from the scandal.

April Price’s account forms the emotional core of the documentary. Her story paints a chilling picture of Collins’ manipulation and abuse of power. In the summer of 1983, when Price was just 13 years old, she was staying with her aunt, who happened to be a neighbor of Collins in Los Angeles. According to Price, Collins exposed himself to her on two separate occasions. The first instance occurred while he was helping her set up her gaming console, leaving her feeling "supremely shocked" and "very uncomfortable."

The second incident, however, was far more disturbing and deeply traumatic. Collins lured Price to his apartment under the pretense of showing her memorabilia from the short-lived television series "Tales of the Gold Monkey," a show that Price was a fan of. Once inside, Collins asked Price if he could change into something more comfortable. He then reappeared completely naked.

Price vividly recalls the moment, stating, "And my stomach just fell, and now I’m actually scared. I’m in this man’s apartment. I’m in a bathing suit, and he’s naked. This is bad. This is really bad. I don’t know what I’m going to do." Trapped and vulnerable, Price felt an overwhelming sense of fear and panic. Fortunately, she noticed her aunt returning home through a window, and used this as an opportunity to escape the situation.

Years later, in 1997, Price and Collins encountered each other on a film set. Price recounts that Collins approached her and apologized for his past behavior, saying, "’I want you to know what I did was extremely wrong. I feel terrible about it. Please forgive me.’" At the time, Price interpreted this apology as a genuine expression of remorse. However, with the benefit of hindsight, she now views it as a calculated attempt at damage control.

The documentary also sheds light on the documented evidence of Collins’ confessions. In 2012, Collins and his then-wife, Faye Grant, participated in a therapy session where Collins openly discussed his pattern of abusing young girls. Unbeknownst to Collins, Grant recorded the session. These tapes, which were leaked to TMZ in 2014, provided irrefutable proof of Collins’ transgressions.

In the recordings, Collins admitted to repeatedly exposing himself to one girl, beginning in 1973 when she was only 10 years old. He also confessed to forcing the young girl to touch him. Furthermore, Collins acknowledged his abuse of Price and a third girl, who was a babysitter for his children in 1994.

The revelations from the therapy tapes sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and beyond, prompting widespread condemnation of Collins. Jeremy London, who played Reverend Chandler Hampton on "7th Heaven" from 2002 to 2004, initially expressed admiration for Collins, describing him as "not only one of the finest actors but one of the finest human beings in Hollywood." However, upon learning the details of Collins’ admissions, London’s perspective drastically changed.

"I’m a dad, first and foremost, above everything else," London stated. "And so my first thoughts always go to the children. Stephen Collins would be a dead man if that was my child." London’s visceral reaction reflects the outrage and disgust felt by many in response to Collins’ actions.

Despite the overwhelming evidence of Collins’ abuse, he has faced no criminal or civil charges. The statutes of limitations have expired for the incidents involving Price and the girl abused in 1973. The girl who was exposed to Collins in 1994 has chosen to remain anonymous and has not publicly identified herself.

The "Hollywood Demons" documentary serves as a stark reminder of the hidden darkness that can lurk beneath the glamorous facade of Hollywood. It highlights the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and providing support to survivors of abuse. While Stephen Collins may have once been considered "America’s Dad," the revelations of his predatory behavior have forever tarnished his legacy, leaving a stain on the memory of "7th Heaven" and serving as a cautionary tale about the abuse of power.