Jane Seymour (actress)

Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour at the 2010 Academy Awards
Born Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg
15 February 1951 (1951-02-15) (age 61)
Hayes, Middlesex, England
Occupation Actress
Years active 1969–present
Spouse Michael Attenborough
(1971–73; divorced)
Geoffrey Planer
(1977–78; divorced)
David Flynn
(1981–92; divorced; 2 children)
James Keach
(1993–present; 2 children)
Website
www.janeseymour.com

Jane Seymour, OBE (born Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg; 15 February 1951) is an English actress best known for her performances in the James Bond film Live and Let Die (1973), East of Eden (1982), Onassis: The Richest Man in the World (1988), 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 a member of the Order of the British Empire in 2000.[2]

Contents

Early life

Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg was born in 15 February 1951 in Hayes, Middlesex, England, the daughter of John Benjamin Frankenberg, an obstetrician, and Mieke, a nurse.[3] Her father was a British Jew whose family was from Poland. Her mother was a Dutch Protestant who was a prisoner of war during World War II.[4][5] Seymour was educated at The Arts Educational School in Tring, Hertfordshire, in England. She took on the stage name "Jane Seymour" after King Henry VIII's third wife.[4]

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.[6] 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 then later in the first two episodes of the television series that followed.

In 1980, Seymour returned to the big screen in the comedy Oh Heavenly Dog opposite Chevy Chase, and as Elise McKenna in the romantic fantasy Somewhere in Time opposite Christopher Reeve. In 1981, she appeared in the television film East of Eden—based on the novel by John Steinbeck. 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 failure. In 1987, Seymour was the subject of a pictorial in Playboy magazine, although she did not actually pose nude.

In 1988, Seymour appeared as the female lead in the 12-part television miniseries War and Remembrance, in which she played Natalie Henry, an American Jewish woman trapped in Europe during World War II. The series was based on a successful novel by Herman Wouk, and is noted for its accurate, and graphic, depiction of the Holocaust. In 1989, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution, Seymour appeared in the television movie La révolution française, filmed in both French and English. Seymour appeared as the doomed French queen, Marie Antoinette; the actress' two children, Katherine and Sean, appeared as the queen's children.

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, she made several 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 "Castle (TV series)" the ABC sitcom.

In recent years, Seymour returned to film work, appeared in the Hallmark Channel movie Dear Prudence (2008) with Jamey Sheridan and Ryan Cartwright, and the romantic comedy Love, Wedding, Marriage (2011) with Mandy Moore.

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 husband James Keach for the This One 'N That One series.

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

Personal life

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

In 1981, Seymour married David Flynn. The marriage produced two children, Katherine Flynn, born 7 January 1982 and Sean Flynn, born 1986. The couple were divorced in 1992. In 1992, celebrity gossip magazines reported that Seymour dated musician Peter Cetera, former bass guitarist and lead singer of the rock band Chicago.[7][8][9][10]

In 1993, Seymour married her current husband, James Keach. Together they had twins, Johnny Stacy and Kristopher Steven, born 30 November 1995, and named after family friends Johnny Cash and Christopher Reeve.

Seymour is a celebrity ambassador for Childhelp, a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect.[11] In 2007, she sponsored a children's Art Pillow contest as part of the Jane Seymour Collection, with the proceeds going to Childhelp.[12]

Bibliography

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1969 Oh! What a Lovely War Chorus Girl Uncredited
1970 Only Way, TheThe Only Way Lillian Stein
1970 Here Come the Double Deckers Alice Episode: 'Scooper Strikes Out'
1972 Best Pair of Legs in the Business, TheThe Best Pair of Legs in the Business Kim Thorn
1972 Young Winston Pamela Plowden
1972 The Pathfinders Shelia Conway Episode: 'Fly There, Walk Back'
1972 Strauss Family, TheThe Strauss Family Karolin Mini-Series
1972 Onedin Line, TheThe Onedin Line Emma Callon/Emma Fogarty Appeared in 8 episodes, 1972–1973
1973 Live and Let Die Solitaire
1973 Great Mysteries Veronique d' Aubray Episode: 'The Leather Funnel'
1973 Frankenstein: The True Story Agatha/Prima
1975 Hanged Man, TheThe Hanged Man Laura Burnett Episode: 'Ring of Return'
1976 The Story of David Bathsheba
1976 Our Mutual Friend Bella Wilfer Appeared in 6 episodes, 1976
1976 Captains and the Kings Marjorie Chisholm Armagh Mini-series
1977 Four Feathers, TheThe Four Feathers Ethne Eustace
1977 Benny and Barney: Las Vegas Undercover Margie Parks
1977 McCloud Nidavah Ritzach Episode: 'The Great Taxicab Stampede'
1977 Seventh Avenue Eva Meyers Mini-series
1977 Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger Princess Farah
1977 Killer on Board Jan
1978 Awakening Land, TheThe Awakening Land Genny Luckett
1978 Love's Dark Ride Diana
1978 Battlestar Galactica Serina
1979 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Laura Cole
1980 Somewhere in Time Elise McKenna
1980 Oh! Heavenly Dog Jackie
1981 East of Eden Cathy/Kate Ames Mini-series
1981 BBC2 Playhouse Episode: 'Last Summer's Child'
1982 Scarlet Pimpernel, TheThe Scarlet Pimpernel Marguerite St. Just
1983 Phantom of the Opera, TheThe Phantom of the Opera Maria Gianelli/Elena Korvin
1983 Jamaica Inn (1983 film) Mary Yellan
1983 Haunting Passion, TheThe Haunting Passion Julia Evans
1984 Lassiter Sara Wells
1984 Dark Mirror Leigh Cullen/Tracy Cullen
1984 Sun Also Rises, TheThe Sun Also Rises Brett Ashley
1985 Obsessed with a Married Woman Diane Putnam
1985 Head Office Jane Caldwell
1986 Crossings Hillary Burnham Mini-series
1987 El Túnel Maria Iribarne
1988 Keys to Freedom Gillian
1988 Woman He Loved, TheThe Woman He Loved Wallis Simpson
1988 Onassis: The Richest Man in the World Maria Callas
1988 Jack the Ripper Emma Prentiss
1988–1989 War and Remembrance Natalie Henry Appeared in 12 episodes, 1988–1989
1989 La Révolution française Marie Antoinette
1990 Angel of Death Laura Hendricks
1990 Matters of the Heart Hadley Norman
1991 Passion Amanda Brooks
1991 Memories of Midnight Catherine Alexander Douglas
1992 Are You Lonesome Tonight Adrienne Welles
1992 Sunstroke Teresa Winters
1993 Praying Mantis Linda Crandell
1993 Heidi Fräulein Rottenmeier
1993 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Dr. Michaela 'Mike' Quinn Appeared in 149 episodes, 1993–1998
1994 Count on Me
1994 Passion for Justice: The Hazel Brannon Smith Story, AA Passion for Justice: The Hazel Brannon Smith Story Hazel Brannon Smith
1997 California Dr. Michaela 'Mike' Quinn
1997 Absolute Truth, TheThe Absolute Truth Alison Reed
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
1999 A Memory in My Heart Rebecca Vega/Abbie Swenson Stewart
1999 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Movie Dr. Michaela 'Mike' Quinn
2000 Murder in the Mirror Dr. Mary Kost Richland
2000 Enslavement: The True Story of Fanny Kemble Fanny Kemble Butler
2000 Yesterday's Children Jenny Cole/Mary Sutton
2001 Blackout Kathy Robbins
2001 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within Dr. Michaela 'Mike' Quinn
2002 Touching Wild Horses Fiona Kelsey
2002 Heart of a Stranger Jill Maddox
2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Debra Connor
2004–2005 Smallville Genevieve Teague Appeared in 6 episodes, 2004–2005
2005 The Littlest Light On The Christmas Tree Voice
2005 Wedding Crashers Kathleen Cleary
2006 Modern Men Dr. Victoria Stangel Appeared in 7 episodes, 2006
2006 Beach Party at the Threshold of Hell, TheThe Beach Party at the Threshold of Hell President Lauren Coffey
2006 Blind Dating Dr. Evans
2006 How I Met Your Mother Professor Lewis
2006 Justice Karen Patterson guest role, 1 episode
"Filicide"
2007 After Sex Janet
2007 In Case of Emergency Donna Appeared in 3 episodes, 2007
2007 Marple: Ordeal by Innocence Rachel Argyle
2008 Dear Prudence Prudence Macintyre
2009 Assistants (2009 film), TheThe Assistants (2009 film) Sandy Goldman
2009 Wake Mrs. Reitman
2009 Velveteen Rabbit, TheThe Velveteen Rabbit Mom Voice
2009 Freeloaders Post-Production
2011 Castle Gloria Guest appearance, ep 3.18 [13]
2011 Perfectly Prudence Prudence Macintyre
2011 Love, Wedding, Marriage Betty

Awards

References

  1. ^ a b IMDB "Jane Seymour". http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005412/ IMDB. Retrieved 2 November 2011. 
  2. ^ a b BBC News "MBE humbles footballer Wright". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/832031.stm BBC News. Retrieved 2 November 2011. 
  3. ^ Film Reference "Jane Seymour Biography". http://www.filmreference.com/film/12/Jane-Seymour.html Film Reference. Retrieved 2 November 2011. 
  4. ^ a b Nightingale, Benedict. The New York Times "Jane Seymour, Queen of the Mini-Series". http://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/16/arts/television-jane-seymour-queen-of-the-mini-series.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm The New York Times. Retrieved 2 November 2011. 
  5. ^ Ames, Katrine. "Jane Seymour Captures America". http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rusTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SQYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4534,2676157&dq=jane-seymour-captures-america&hl=en. Retrieved 7 November 2009. 
  6. ^ IGN "Top 10 Bond Babes". http://stars.ign.com/articles/746/746292p1.html IGN. Retrieved 20 October 2009. 
  7. ^ Robertson, Peter. Hello Magazine! "How the Fairytale Relationship Ended After Ten Years". http://www.thedqtimes.com/pages/castpages/other/Jane%20Hello%20issue%20147%20Jane%20talks%20about%20her%20divorce/janetellshersideofdivorce.htm Hello Magazine!. Retrieved 20 March 2010. 
  8. ^ People Magazine "Star Tracks". http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20115835,00.html People Magazine. Retrieved 2 November 1991. 
  9. ^ "Jane Seymour in hot new romance with rock star" in Globe 38(15), 15.
  10. ^ "Dances with Wolf Whistles" in People Weekly 35(13), 51.
  11. ^ Childhelp "About Childhelp". http://www.childhelp.org/pages/about Childhelp. Retrieved 3 November 2011. 
  12. ^ Childhelp "Actress Jane Seymour Sponsors National Art Competition to Help Abused and Neglected Children". http://www.childhelp.org/press-releases/entry/actress-jane-seymour-sponsors-national-art-competition-to-help-abused-and-n Childhelp. Retrieved 3 November 2011. 
  13. ^ Keck, William. TVGuide "Jane Seymour Joins Castle's Soap-Opera Episode". http://www.givememyremote.com/remote/2011/03/21/jane-seymour-teases-her-castle-guest-spot/ TVGuide. Retrieved 26 November 2011. 
  14. ^ Jane Seymour Emmy Winner

External links

Preceded by
Jill St. John
Bond girl
1973
Succeeded by
Britt Ekland

Category;American buisnesspeople

Category;American philantrophists