Stephen Collins is an American former actor born on October 1, 1947, in Des Moines, Iowa. He is best known for his role as Eric Camden, the family patriarch on the television series "7th Heaven," which aired from 1996 to 2007. Collins also played notable roles such as Commander Willard Decker in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1979) and had television roles in series like "No Ordinary Family" and "Revolution."

He grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, and graduated cum laude from Amherst College. His career spanned television, film, and theater, with early roles including appearances in "All the President's Men" and the cult TV series "Tales of the Gold Monkey." Collins was also nominated for an Emmy for his work in the miniseries "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles" and played John F. Kennedy in "A Woman Named Jackie." He acted alongside stars such as Diane Keaton and Shirley MacLaine in various films.