Television dad Stephen Collins, best known for his role as minister Eric Camden on the long-running family drama 7th Heaven, has allegedly confessed to molesting underage girls.
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An audio recording of the confession, taped by his estranged wife, actress Faye Grant, has been leaked to the US tabloid news site TMZ.
Stephen Collins was due to star in Seth MacFarlane's sequel to his hugely popular 2012 movie Ted, however The Hollywood Reporter is now reporting that he has been dropped from the film. Ted 2 is set for release in the US on June 26 next year.
The US actors union, SAG-AFTRA, has confirmed that Collins has resigned from the body's national board. The organisation did not clarify the reasons for his resignation.
Grant and Collins are presently engaged in what TMZ described as a "nasty, prolonged" divorce.
The New York Police Department is investigating the case, as two of the three alleged incidents took place in New York City. The third was allegedly in Los Angeles.
"There is a formal complaint on file and the incident is being investigated by the Manhattan Special Victims Squad," the police department's statement said.
Police spokesman Stephen David says the complaint was filed in 2012 and accused Collins of forcing a then-14-year-old girl to commit a lewd act in 1972. David says the case remains open, but no charges have been filed.
The Los Angeles Police Department was also reviewing the audiotape, but a spokesman said they did not plan to open their own investigation.
TMZ says the confession was made during a session with a therapist attended by Collins and Grant. Grant made the recording of the session.
TMZ says Collins was not aware he was being recorded, however it notes that under California law it is legal to make such a recording in order to gather evidence for a "violent felony" charge.
The US cable channel UPTV, which airs repeats of 7th Heaven, has announced that it has pulled the program from its schedule.
"We are deeply concerned for the families that are potentially affected by these disturbing allegations surrounding actor Stephen Collins," the channel's president Charley Humbard said.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and listen carefully to our viewers."
- with Aja Styles and wires
