Stephen Collins Net Worth, Rise, Fall & Scandal That Ended a Hollywood Career
Stephen Collins, once a beloved figure in American television, saw his career and reputation collapse nearly overnight. As of 2024, the 76-year-old actor has an estimated net worth of $3 million, a stark contrast to the $14 million he held at the peak of his career. Known for his long-standing role as Reverend Eric Camden on 7th Heaven, Collins’s downfall began in 2014 when shocking revelations of past misconduct emerged—leading to a permanent halt in his professional life.
Early Life and Education
Stephen Weaver Collins was born on October 1, 1947, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Madeleine and Cyrus Collins. Raised in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, with two older brothers, Collins’s upbringing was shaped by his father’s work in the airline industry. He graduated cum laude from Amherst College in 1969, where he also explored his musical interests as a bass guitarist in campus bands.
Career Beginnings and Acting Breakthrough
Collins launched his acting journey in the mid-1970s, starting with television movies like The Michele Lee Show. He quickly landed supporting roles on popular series including The Waltons, Charlie’s Angels, and The Rhinemann Exchange. He transitioned to film with appearances in All the President’s Men and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Collins became a household name in television drama. Notable performances include roles in Inside the Third Reich, Chiefs, and The Two Mrs. Grenvilles, for which he received an Emmy nomination. His portrayal of John F. Kennedy in the miniseries A Woman Named Jackie in 1991 further showcased his versatility.
Peak Fame with 7th Heaven
Stephen Collins achieved widespread fame in 1996 when he took on the role of Reverend Eric Camden, the compassionate patriarch in the WB’s family drama 7th Heaven. The show became one of the network’s biggest hits, running for 11 seasons and making Collins a staple in American living rooms.
During the show’s prime, Collins and co-star Catherine Hicks were nominated twice for Teen Choice Awards under the category “TV Choice Parental Units.” The success of 7th Heaven was instrumental in propelling his net worth to around $14 million by the mid-2000s.
Later Roles and Final Performances
After 7th Heaven ended in 2007, Collins appeared in multiple guest roles and films. He was featured in Because I Said So, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Office as Andy Bernard’s father, and ABC’s No Ordinary Family. He also had appearances in Devious Maids, Brothers and Sisters, and Revolution. His final known acting credits came in 2013.
Scandal and Career Fallout
In October 2014, audio surfaced in which a voice—confirmed to be Collins—described past incidents of inappropriate sexual conduct with minors. In a People magazine interview later that year, Collins admitted to misconduct involving three underage girls in 1973, 1982, and 1994.
The fallout was immediate and severe. He lost current and future acting opportunities, was removed from public advocacy roles, and became a Hollywood pariah. Collins has not worked in the entertainment industry since these admissions.
Personal Life and Costly Divorce
Stephen Collins married actress Faye Grant in 1985, whom he met on the set of Tales of the Gold Monkey. The couple had a daughter, Kate Collins, in 1989. After their separation in 2012 and a high-profile divorce finalized in 2015, Collins was ordered to pay Grant half of their $14 million estate—cutting his wealth by 50%.
Before the divorce, the couple owned two adjoining properties in LA’s upscale Brentwood neighborhood. They purchased them for a combined $2.35 million and sold both in October 2014 for $5.5 million, during the height of the scandal and legal proceedings.
Current Status and Net Worth in 2024
Now 76 years old, Collins lives a reclusive life away from the spotlight. With no professional engagements in over a decade and the fallout from his past actions still casting a shadow, his current net worth is estimated at $3 million.
Much of his financial decline stems from legal costs, the divorce settlement, and the complete cessation of income from acting or endorsements. Once a symbol of TV fatherhood, Collins is now a cautionary tale of how personal actions can destroy a legacy.
Final Thoughts
Stephen Collins’s story is a complex mixture of fame, success, and ultimate disgrace. From starring in one of the most-watched family dramas of the 1990s to losing nearly everything due to his own admitted behavior, his fall from grace is one of the most dramatic in Hollywood’s history.
His current net worth of $3 million may offer financial security, but in the eyes of the industry and the public, his legacy has been permanently tarnished.
