Stephen Collins is an American actor, writer, and musician, best known for his portrayal of patriarch Reverend Eric Camden on the long-running television series 7th Heaven. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, he began his acting career on stage before transitioning to film and television in the 1970s. His other notable roles include Commander Willard Decker in Star Trek: The Motion Picture and appearances in shows like The Waltons and Scandal. In 2014, his career was effectively ended after he admitted to multiple instances of past child sexual abuse, leading to widespread public condemnation.