Stephen Collins Quotes

Powerful Stephen Collins for Daily Growth

About Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins (September 15, 1948 - September 24, 2021) was an American actor, director, and author, best known for his role as Eric Camden on the television series "7th Heaven" from 1996 to 2007. Born in Portland, Maine, Collins developed an early interest in acting. He attended Northwestern University, where he honed his skills and eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. His professional acting career began on Broadway, earning him a Tony Award nomination for his role in "The Price" in 1980. Collins transitioned to television in the 1980s, appearing in shows like "The Muppet Show," "Lou Grant," and "Trapper John, M.D." His breakout role came in 1986 when he starred as Teddy Ruxpin in the children's show of the same name. In 1996, Collins landed the role that would define his career: Eric Camden on "7th Heaven." The family drama ran for a remarkable 11 seasons and made Collins a household name. Collins was also an accomplished author. He wrote two memoirs, "Life Is Like a Ball of Yarn" in 2008 and "Home and Away: A Life in Hollywood and a Journey to Peace" in 2016. These books offer intimate insights into his personal life, including his struggle with alcoholism and his journey towards spiritual enlightenment. Collins passed away on September 24, 2021, at the age of 73. His legacy lives on through his impactful acting career and inspiring books that continue to touch the hearts of many.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

This quote emphasizes the acceptance and embrace of change as an inevitable part of life, rather than fighting against it. It suggests that resisting natural changes can lead to unnecessary sorrow or distress. Instead, we should recognize and adapt to reality, allowing events and circumstances to unfold organically, trusting in the flow of life itself.


"The more we open our heart to others, the more we open our hearts to ourselves."

This quote by Stephen Collins emphasizes the idea that empathy towards others helps us better understand ourselves. By opening our hearts to others, we foster connections, compassion, and understanding, which in turn reveals aspects of our own character and emotions. This process encourages self-awareness and personal growth as we navigate the complexities of human relationships. It suggests that empathy is a tool for both understanding the world around us and discovering more about who we truly are within it.


"A closed mind is like a closed book: just a blank page."

This quote emphasizes that an unwillingness to learn or consider new ideas, represented by a "closed mind," is comparable to an unopened or "closed book," which has no content or knowledge. It suggests that being open-minded towards learning and experiencing new things allows for personal growth and knowledge acquisition, just as reading and exploring the contents of a book does. In essence, it encourages us to keep our minds open to diverse perspectives, ideas, and experiences in order to grow intellectually and emotionally.


"Love is a four-letter word that describes what happens when two people become one. It's a beautiful thing, and it doesn't have to be complicated."

This quote by Stephen Collins emphasizes the fundamental simplicity of love, despite its powerful impact. He views love as a profound union between two individuals, where they merge into one entity. This unity brings about a beautiful experience that transcends complexities, making it both enchanting and effortless to understand or achieve. The essence lies in recognizing this bond, rather than getting lost in the intricacies of love's many forms and expressions.


"The art of love is largely the art of persistence."

This quote emphasizes that love requires persistence, meaning consistent effort and dedication over time. It suggests that in a relationship, one should not give up easily but rather keep trying and persevering to strengthen the bond. The "art of love" implies that like any art, it takes skill and practice, and these skills can be developed and improved through persistent actions.


Bit parts in Mediocre TV shows won't develop your acting chops.

- Stephen Collins

Mediocre, TV, TV Shows, Chops

I have an almost seven year old... I think it's essential to be consistent with kids. And truthful, without scaring them. I could go on for hours on this one.

- Stephen Collins

Think, Hours, I Think, Essential

Aaron is not at all what his image might indicate. He's fiercly loyal and a true and total gentleman. He's very shy but has very strong opinions. He's into everything, wardrobe, hair, script, casting.

- Stephen Collins

Strong, Image, Very, Casting

I took the role because it's rare to read a script that makes me laugh and cry, and it spoke to my own religious feelings, as well as giving me a chance to draw on my experience as a parent. Accepting it was a no-brainer.

- Stephen Collins

Parent, Role, Religious, Accepting

Don't try to start a career in LA, unless money is all you're interested in.

- Stephen Collins

Money, Career, Unless, La

There starts to be an overlap between you and the character.

- Stephen Collins

Character, Between, Starts, Overlap

When you put a group of actors together who get along, and we have since day one, they don't become like their roles. What tends to happen is their age disappears and they all deal with each other as friends.

- Stephen Collins

Deal, Other, Roles, Disappears

Well I'm a longtime AOL subscriber and I love the whole thing. I'm an email junkie and I love the internet, though 7th Heaven doesn't give me much free time to surf these days.

- Stephen Collins

Love, Whole, I Love, Email

But I loved the script to 7th Heaven and couldn't say no. It made me laugh and cry, and I was hooked. I'd love to know who turned it down, because I'm sure at least one other actor did. But I'm glad he did, whoever it was.

- Stephen Collins

Love, Other, Turned, At Least One

I go to St. Matthews in Pacific Palisades, an Episcopal Church.

- Stephen Collins

Church, Go, Episcopal, Pacific

I'm from the US of A. Born in Des Moines, raised in the New York suburbs.

- Stephen Collins

New York, New, Suburbs, Des Moines

I'd be happy to do Star Trek again, if the writing was right.

- Stephen Collins

Happy, Star, Again, Trek

In Hawaii, we go to this wonderful place, all families. My wife and I go directly from breakfast to a beach chair where we read all day. My daughter goes from water to pool to running around with friends she meets, some of whom are regulars there.

- Stephen Collins

Running, Some, Around, Directly

There are many exceptions, but New York is a great place to start a career.

- Stephen Collins

Career, New, Great Place, Exceptions

Part of the beauty of the show in a way is that he's not perfect, but you can always count on him to do the right thing in a pinch. That's why he inspires people and inspires me.

- Stephen Collins

Beauty, Always, Pinch, Inspires

I'm working on a new novel, in its 3rd draft, but it's hard to write while doing 7th Heaven.

- Stephen Collins

Doing, New, While, Draft

I might be in an airport, late or angry with a ticket person, and I'm going to sort of check myself, because part of me is seen as Eric Camden. We all need as much help as we can get. It's a role model to me as much as to anybody else.

- Stephen Collins

Role, Anybody, Part, Eric

You need to develop, somehow, a huge amount of faith and confidence in yourself, because there's a lot of rejection throughout an actor's life and you have to believe in yourself more than anyone else.

- Stephen Collins

More, Need, Amount, Rejection

I spent 26 years in the business without ever knowing what I was doing a month from now.

- Stephen Collins

Business, Doing, Ever, Month

I don't think this show would have come to me 10 years ago. It continues to be this wonderful miracle.

- Stephen Collins

Think, Show, Come, Miracle

The script was just the best I'd read in a long time and I love the humor, which I wasn't expecting, and I like the fact that my six year old daughter can see the show without being, you know, protected from it.

- Stephen Collins

Love, Fact, Year, Protected

Writing a book is such a full-time job. If you're away for a few days, you have to start again.

- Stephen Collins

Book, Away, Again, Full-Time

I can't come on like a parent to these kids, if I do, I won't be able to have fun working with them. The good news is they all have parents. The younger ones, their parents by law have to be on set.

- Stephen Collins

Law, Parent, News, Have Fun

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