Eric Camden is the head of the Camden family. he is also and inspiration to and spiritual leader of his church congregation in the all-Smerican town of Glenoak.
Eric has dedicated his life to helping others, which sometimes leads to late-night calls for his help in crisis intervention.
His own no-nonsense father is a retired military officer; so Eric moved around a lot while he was growingup. This may explain why he insisted on setting down strong roots in Glenoak and getting involved in the community.
In college, Eric recieved the call to become a minister. His career choice didn't sit well with his father at first, and that caused some tension between the two men.
Eric met Annie, his future wife, while they were both in college. She supported Eric's decision to become a minister. Now even Eric's dad agrees that his son made the right decision. Though they still have some tense the two of them.
The Camden kids all love and respect their grandfather and look forward to visits from the man they call "the Colonel," which makes Eric very happy.
As a community leader, Eric Camden's job is to help all kinds of people in difficult situations. For instance, Rev. Camden has talked a young boy out of suicide, helped a trouble drug user kick his deadly habit, and assisted an abused spouse who needed to escape her husband.
Sometimes Eric's professional life and home life clash, and he finds it hard to juggle his parishioners' wishes with the needs of his family. But eith faith-and a healthy dose of optimism-Eric Camden finds the strength that he needs to endure.
Eric also has a hidden side. He plays guitar and sings, and was once a member of a rock-and-roll band!
Eric Camden is played by Emmy Award-nominated actor STEPHEN COLLINS, a popular Hollywood actor who divides his time among television, motion pictures, and the theater.
Bron in Des Moines, Iowa, and raised in New York, Collins co-starred as Sela Ward's love interest in the dramaticseries Sisters before winning his role in 7th Heaven. His hansome good looks and great talents also landed him the role of President F. Kennedy in the mini-series A Woman Named Jackie.
Many fans may remember Collins as Captain Decker in the first Star Trek film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture. More recently, he appeared in The First Wives Club.
In addition to his busy acting career, Stephen Collins is a bestselling author. He has written two novels, Double Exposure and Eye Contact. Collins is currently at work on a third book.
As soon as he was cast in 7th Heaven, Collins threw himself into the role of Rev. Camden. He spoke to ministers all over the country to do research for his part.
