Jane Seymour (actress)

For other people named Jane Seymour, see Jane Seymour (disambiguation).
Jane Seymour
OBE

Jane Seymour at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival
Born Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg
(1951-02-15) 15 February 1951
London, England
Occupation Actress
Years active 1969–present
Spouse(s) Michael Attenborough
(1971–73; divorced)
Geoffrey Planer
(1977–78; divorced)
David Flynn
(1981–92; divorced; 2 children)
James Keach
(1993–2015; divorced; 2 children)
Website www.janeseymour.com
Signature
JaneSeymourAutograph

Jane Seymour, OBE (born Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg; 15 February 1951) is a British-American actress best known for her performances in the James Bond film Live and Let Die (1973), Somewhere In Time (1980), East of Eden (1981), Onassis: The Richest Man in the World (1988), War and Remembrance (1988), the 1989 political thriller La Révolution française as the ill-fated queen Marie Antoinette, Wedding Crashers (2005), and the American television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993–1998). She has earned an Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[1] She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2000.[2]

Early life

Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg was born 15 February 1951[3] in Hayes, Middlesex, England, the daughter of Mieke (van Tricht), a nurse, and John Benjamin Frankenberg, an obstetrician.[4][5] Her father was Jewish; he was born in England, to a family from Poland (village of Nowe Trzepowo).[6] Her mother was a Dutch Protestant (with family from Deventer) who was a prisoner of war during World War II, and who had lived in Indonesia.[7][8][9] Jane's paternal grandfather had come to live in the East End of London after escaping the Czarist pogroms when he was 14. He is listed in the 1911 census for Bethnal Green, working as a hairdresser, and eventually went on to have his own company.[10]

Seymour was educated at the Arts Educational School in Tring, Hertfordshire. She took on the stage name "Jane Seymour" after King Henry VIII's third wife, as it seemed more saleable.[7]

One of Seymour's notable features is that she was born with heterochromia, making her right eye brown and her left eye green.

Acting career

In 1969, Seymour appeared uncredited in her first film, Richard Attenborough's Oh! What a Lovely War. In 1970, Seymour appeared in her first major film role in the war drama The Only Way. She played Lillian Stein, a Jewish woman seeking shelter from Nazi persecution. In 1973, she gained her first major television role as Emma Callon in the successful 1970s series The Onedin Line. During this time, she appeared as female lead Prima in the two-part television miniseries Frankenstein: The True Story. She also appeared as Winston Churchill's lover Pamela Plowden in Young Winston, produced by her father-in-law Richard Attenborough.

In 1973, Seymour achieved international fame in her role as Bond girl Solitaire in the James Bond film Live and Let Die. IGN ranked her as 10th in a Top 10 Bond Babes list.[11] In 1975, Seymour was cast as Princess Farah in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, the third part of Ray Harryhausen's Sinbad trilogy. The film was not released until its stop motion animation sequences had been completed in 1977. In 1978, she appeared as Serina in the Battlestar Galactica film, and in the first five episodes of the television series. Seymour returned to the big screen in the comedy Oh Heavenly Dog opposite Chevy Chase.

Seymour at the Emmy Awards, 1988

In 1980, Seymour played the role on stage of Constanze in Peter Shaffer's play Amadeus which had first been presented at the Royal National Theatre, London in 1979, directed by Sir Peter Hall. The play premiered on Broadway in 1980 with Ian McKellen as Salieri, Tim Curry as Mozart, and Jane Seymour as Constanze. It ran for 1,181 performances and was nominated for seven Tony Awards, of which it won five.

Also in 1980, Seymour was given the role of young theatre actress Elise McKenna in the period romance Somewhere in Time. Though the film was made with a markedly limited budget, the role enticed Seymour with a character she felt she knew. The effort was a decided break from her earlier work, and marked the start of her friendship with co-star Christopher Reeve.

In 1981, she appeared in the television film East of Eden, based on the novel by John Steinbeck. Her portrayal of main antagonist Cathy Ames won her a Golden Globe.[12] In 1982, she appeared in The Scarlet Pimpernel with Anthony Andrews and Ian McKellen. In 1984, Seymour appeared nude in the film Lassiter, co-starring Tom Selleck, but the film was a box office flop. In 1987, Seymour was the subject of a pictorial in Playboy magazine, although she did not pose nude.[13]

In 1988, Seymour got the female lead in the 12-part television miniseries War and Remembrance, the continued story from the miniseries The Winds of War, in which she played Natalie Henry, an American Jewish woman trapped in Europe during World War II. That role had been played by Ali MacGraw in the first series, but Seymour campaigned for the role when the continuation was planned, and made a screen test which convinced the director and producer Dan Curtis that she was better suited for it.

In 1989, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution, Seymour appeared in the television film La révolution française, filmed in both French and English. Seymour appeared as the doomed French queen, Marie Antoinette; the actress's two children, Katherine and Sean, appeared as the queen's children.

Seymour at the Emmy Awards, 1994

In the 1990s, Seymour earned popular and critical praise for her role as Dr. Michaela "Mike" Quinn in the television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and its television sequels (1993–2001). Her work on the series earned her a second Golden Globe Award. While working on the series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, she met her fourth husband, actor-director James Keach.

In the 2000s, Seymour continued to work primarily in television. In 2004 and 2005, she made six guest appearances in the WB Network series, Smallville, playing Genevieve Teague, the wealthy, scheming mother of Jason Teague (Jensen Ackles). In 2005, Seymour returned to the big screen in the comedy Wedding Crashers, playing Kathleen Cleary, wife of fictional United States Secretary of the Treasury William Cleary, played by Christopher Walken. In spring 2006, she appeared in the short-lived WB series Modern Men. Later that year, Seymour guest-starred as a law-school-professor on an episode of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and as a wealthy client on the Fox legal drama, Justice. In 2007, she guest-starred in the ABC sitcom, In Case of Emergency, which starred Lori Loughlin and Jonathan Silverman. She also appeared in ITV's Marple: Ordeal By Innocence, based on the Agatha Christie novel. She was a contestant on season five of the US reality show, Dancing with the Stars; she finished in sixth place, along with her partner, Tony Dovolani. In "One Life to Lose" Jane Seymour guest starred in a soap opera-themed storyline of the ABC crime-dramedy Castle.

Seymour appeared in the Hallmark Channel film Dear Prudence (2008) with Jamey Sheridan and Ryan Cartwright, the romantic comedy Love, Wedding, Marriage (2011) with Mandy Moore, and the Hallmark Movie Channel film Lake Effects (2012) with Scottie Thompson and Madeline Zima.

In April 2016, she will be starring as Florence Lancaster in Noël Coward's play The Vortex, presented in Singapore by the British Theatre Playhouse.[14]

Writing and fashion careers

In the 1980s, Seymour began a career as a writer of self-help and inspirational books, including Jane Seymour's Guide to Romantic Living (1986), Two at a Time: Having Twins (2002), Remarkable Changes (2003), and Among Angels (2010). She also co-authored several children's books with her then-husband James Keach for the This One 'N That One series.[4]

In 2008, Seymour replaced Selina Scott as the new face of fashion label CC (formerly known as Country Casuals).[15][16]

in 2008, Ms. Seymour teamed up with and designed the "Open Heart Collection" for Kay Jewelers, which promoted it with the advice, "Keep your heart open, and love will always find its way in."[17]

Personal life

Jane Seymour at the Academy Awards, 2010

Seymour has been married four times. Her first marriage to Michael Attenborough, the son of film actor and director Richard Attenborough, lasted from 1971 to 1973.[4] Her second marriage to Geoffrey Planer lasted from 1977 to 1978.[4]

In 1981, Seymour married David Flynn. The marriage produced two children, actress Katherine Flynn, born 7 January 1982, and Sean Flynn, born 31 July 1985. The couple were divorced in 1992.[4] In 1993, Seymour married actor James Keach. Together they had twins, John Stacy and Kristopher Steven, born 30 November 1995, and named after family friends Johnny Cash and Christopher Reeve, and James's brother, actor Stacy Keach.[1] On 12 April 2013 the couple announced they were divorcing.[18] The divorce was finalized in December 2015.[19]

In February 2005, Seymour became a naturalized citizen of the United States.[20]

Seymour is a celebrity ambassador for Childhelp, a national non-profit organisation dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect.[21] In 2007, she sponsored a children's Art Pillow contest as part of the Jane Seymour Collection, with the proceeds going to Childhelp.[22]

Bibliography

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1969 Oh! What a Lovely War Chorus Girl Uncredited
1970 The Only Way Lillian Stein
1972 Young Winston Pamela Plowden
1973 Best Pair of Legs in the Business, TheThe Best Pair of Legs in the Business Kim Thorn
1973 Live and Let Die Solitaire
1973 Frankenstein: The True Story Agatha/Prima
1976 The Story of David Bathsheba Television movie
1977 Four Feathers, TheThe Four Feathers Ethne Eustace
1977 Benny and Barney: Las Vegas Undercover Margie Parks Television movie
1977 Seventh Avenue Eva Meyers Television movie
1977 Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger Princess Farah
1977 Killer on Board Jan
1978 Love's Dark Ride Diana Television movie
1979 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Laura Cole Television movie
1980 Somewhere in Time Elise McKenna Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress
1980 Oh! Heavenly Dog Jackie
1982 Scarlet Pimpernel, TheThe Scarlet Pimpernel Marguerite St. Just Television movie
1983 The Phantom of the Opera Maria Gianelli/Elena Korvin Television movie
1983 Jamaica Inn Mary Yellan Television movie
1983 The Haunting Passion Julia Evans Television movie
1984 Lassiter Sara Wells
1984 Dark Mirror Leigh Cullen/Tracy Cullen Television movie
1984 The Sun Also Rises Brett Ashley Television movie
1985 Obsessed with a Married Woman Diane Putnam Television movie
1985 Head Office Jane Caldwell
1986 Crossings Hillary Burnham Television movie
1987 El Túnel[4] Maria Iribarne Movie
1988 Keys to Freedom Gillian Television movie
1988 Woman He Loved, TheThe Woman He Loved Wallis Simpson Television movie
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film
1988 Onassis: The Richest Man in the World Maria Callas Television movie
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
1988 Jack the Ripper Emma Prentiss
1989 La Révolution française Marie Antoinette
1990 Angel of Death Laura Hendricks Television movie
1990 Matters of the Heart Hadley Norman Television movie
1991 Passion Amanda Brooks Television movie
1991 Memories of Midnight Catherine Alexander Television movie
1992 Are You Lonesome Tonight? Adrienne Welles Television movie
1992 Sunstroke Teresa Winters Television movie
1993 Praying Mantis Linda Crandell Television movie
1993 Heidi Fräulein Rottenmeier Television movie
1994 Count on Me Unknown
1994 A Passion for Justice: The Hazel Brannon Smith Story Hazel Brannon Smith Television movie
1997 California Dr. Michaela 'Mike' Quinn
1997 The Absolute Truth Alison Reed Television movie
1998 Quest for Camelot Lady Juliana Voice
1998 New Swiss Family Robinson, TheThe New Swiss Family Robinson Anna Robinson
1998 A Marriage of Convenience Chris Winslow Whitney Television movie
1999 A Memory in My Heart Rebecca Vega Television movie
1999 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Movie Dr. Michaela 'Mike' Quinn Television movie
2000 Murder in the Mirror Dr. Mary Kost Richland Television movie
2000 Enslavement: The True Story of Fanny Kemble Fanny Kemble Butler Television movie
2000 Yesterday's Children Jenny Cole/Mary Sutton Television movie
2001 Blackout Kathy Robbins Television movie
2001 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within Dr. Michaela 'Mike' Quinn Television movie
2002 Touching Wild Horses Fiona Kelsey
2002 Heart of a Stranger Jill Maddox Television movie
2005 Wedding Crashers Kathleen Cleary
2006 Beach Party at the Threshold of Hell, TheThe Beach Party at the Threshold of Hell President Lauren Coffey
2006 Blind Dating Dr. Evans
2007 After Sex Janet
2007 Agatha Christie's Marple Rachel Argyle Television movie
2008 Dear Prudence Prudence Macintyre Television movie
2009 The Assistants Sandy Goldman
2009 Wake Mrs. Reitman
2009 Velveteen Rabbit, TheThe Velveteen Rabbit Mom Voice
2009 Freeloaders Carolyn
2011 Perfectly Prudence Prudence Macintyre
2011 The Family Tree Grandma Ilene
2011 Love, Wedding, Marriage Betty
2012 Lake Effects Vikki Tisdale
2013 Austenland Mrs. Wattlesbrook
2013 Lovestruck: The Musical Harper Hutton Television movie
2013 An American Girl: Saige Paints the Sky Mimi Television movie
2014 A Royal Christmas Isadora, Queen of Cordinia Television movie
2014 Love by Design Vivien
2015 About Scout Gloria
2016 Fifty Shades of Black Claire

TV series

Year Title Role Notes
1970 Here Come the Double Deckers Alice Episode: "Scooper Strikes Out"
1972 The Pathfinders Shelia Conway Episode: "Fly There, Walk Back"
1972 Strauss Family, TheThe Strauss Family Karolin 4 episodes
1972 Onedin Line, TheThe Onedin Line Emma Callon 10 episodes
1973 Great Mysteries Veronique d' Aubray Episode: "The Leather Funnel"
1975 Hanged Man, TheThe Hanged Man Laura Burnett Episode: "Ring of Return"
1976 Our Mutual Friend Bella Wilfer 6 episodes
1976 Captains and the Kings Marjorie Chisholm Armagh 4 episodes
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
1977 McCloud Nidavah Ritzach Episode: "The Great Taxicab Stampede"
1978 Awakening Land, TheThe Awakening Land Genny Luckett 3 episodes
1978 Battlestar Galactica Serina 5 episodes
1981 East of Eden Cathy/Kate Ames 3 episodes
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film
1981 BBC2 Playhouse Unknown Episode: "Last Summer's Child"
1988–1989 War and Remembrance Natalie Henry 12 episodes
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film (1989–90)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
1993– 1998 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Dr. Michaela 'Mike' Quinn 149 episodes
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (1994–95, 1997)
Nominated—People's Choice Award for Favorite Female Television Performer
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (1994, 1998)
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Nominated—Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Actress in a Quality Drama Series
1998 Dharma & Greg Herself Episode: "Dharma's Tangled Web"
1999 Healthy Living' Herself Host: 14 episodes
2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Debra Connor Episode: "Families"
2004– 2005 Smallville Genevieve Teague 6 episodes
2006 Modern Men Dr. Victoria Stangel 7 episodes
2006 How I Met Your Mother Professor Lewis Episode: "Aldrin Justice"
2006 Justice Karen Patterson Episode: "Filicide"
2007 In Case of Emergency Donna 3 episodes
2011 Castle Gloria Chambers Episode: "One Life to Lose"
2012 Once Upon a Christmas Narrator Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert Special (filmed 2011)
2012– 2013 Franklin & Bash Colleen Bash 2 episodes
2014 Men at Work Bridgette Episode: "Gigo-Milo"
2014 Forever Maureen Delacroix Episode: "The Ecstasy of Agony"
2015 Jane the Virgin Amanda Elaine Episodes: "Chapter Sixteen " and "Chapter Nineteen"

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Jane Seymour". TV Guide. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 "MBE humbles footballer Wright". BBC News. 13 July 2000. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  3. ↑ "Jane Seymour featured article on TheGenealogist". TheGenealogist. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jane Seymour Biography". Film Reference. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Gruen, Judy (2010-11-07). "War and Remembrance". Aish.com. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  7. 1 2 Nightingale, Benedict (16 October 1988). "Jane Seymour, Queen of the Mini-Series". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  8. ↑ Ames, Katrine. "Jane Seymour Captures America". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  9. ↑ Elaine Lipworth. "Jane Seymour: My family values | Life and style". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Jane Seymour featured article on TheGenealogist". TheGenealogist.co.uk. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "Top 10 Bond Babes". IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  12. ↑ "Award Search Jane Seymour". HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  13. ↑ "Playboy January 1987". Playboy. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  14. ↑ http://www.britishtheatreplayhouse.com/vortex.html
  15. ↑ Pyle, Ally. "The New Face of CC". Vogue. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  16. ↑ "The CC Brand Country Casuals". CC. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  17. ↑ http://www.janeseymour.com/contact-adirondack/
  18. ↑ "Jane Seymour, James Keach: Actress Opens Up About Divorce On 'The View'". Huffington Post. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "Jane Seymour, James Keach's divorce finalized". Fox News. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  20. ↑ "British-born actress Jane Seymour becomes a U.S. citizen." Associated Press (February 11, 2005).
  21. ↑ "About Childhelp". Childhelp. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  22. ↑ "Actress Jane Seymour Sponsors National Art Competition to Help Abused and Neglected Children". Childhelp. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  23. ↑ "Jane Seymour Emmy Winner". Emmys. Retrieved 14 January 2012.

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