Early life

Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg was born 15 February 1951 in Hayes, Middlesex, England, the daughter of Mieke (van Tricht), a nurse, and John Benjamin Frankenberg, an obstetrician. Her father was Jewish; he was born in England, to a family from Poland (village of Nowe Trzepowo). 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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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."

Personal life

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. Her second marriage to Geoffrey Planer lasted from 1977 to 1978.

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. 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. On 12 April 2013 the couple announced they were divorcing. The divorce was finalized in December 2015.

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

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

Bibliography

• Among Angels. Guideposts, 2010. ISBN 978-0-8249-4850-4
• Boing!: No Bouncing on the Bed. This One 'N That One series. With James Keach. Putnam Juvenile, 1999. ISBN 978-0-399-23440-8
• Gus Loved His Happy Home. With Seymour Fleishman. Linnet Books, 1989. ISBN 978-0-208-02249-3
• Jane Seymour's Guide to Romantic Living. Macmillan Publishers, 1986. ASIN: B003JFVAKC.
• Making Yourself at Home: Finding Your Style and Putting It All Together. DK Adult, 2007. ISBN 978-0-7566-2892-5
• Open Hearts: If Your Heart Is Open, Love Will Always Find Its Way In. Running Press, 2008. ISBN 0-7624-3662-X
• Remarkable Changes: Turning Life's Challenges into Opportunities. New York: HarperEntertainment, 2003. ISBN 978-0-06-008747-0
• Splat!: The Tale of a Colorful Cat. This One 'N That One series. With James Keach. Turtleback Books, 2001. ISBN 978-1-4176-0825-6
• Two at a Time: Having Twins: The Journey Through Pregnancy and Birth. With Pamela Patrick Novotny. Atria Books, 2002. ISBN 978-0-671-03678-2
• Yum!: A Tale of Two Cookies. This One 'N That One series. With James Keach. Angel Gate, 1998. ISBN 978-1-932431-08-7

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	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 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 Nominated—People's Choice Award for Favorite Female Television Performer Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series 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

• 1981 Saturn Award for Somewhere in Time (1980)
• 1982 Golden Globe for East of Eden (1981)
• 1988 Emmy Award for Onassis: The Richest Man in the World (1988)
• 1996 Golden Globe Award for Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (1993)
• 2000 OBE Officer of the Order of the British Empire
• 2010 Ellis Island Medal of Honor

Charities

Jane Seymour supports the following charitable causes: Children, Diabetes, Red Cross.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]