MALIBU, Calif. — Whether it’s performing a role, creating decorative art or engaging in charity work, Jane Seymour brings unbridled passion and intense commitment.
She is well known for her varied roles — the “Live and Let Die” Bond Girl; originating the role of Constanza Weber in the Broadway hit “Amadeus”; the title role in “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”; and acting opposite Christopher Reeve in “Somewhere in Time,” a favorite romantic film for many.
Less well known are Seymour's accomplishments as an author of inspirational works, an artist crafting fine art and designing furniture and home accessories, a producer of feature films with her husband James Keach, and recipient of the Woman of the World award from Childhelp USA for her role as international ambassador.
Fans follow the charity events she hosts and her appearances at galleries showing her artwork. Seymour will be the guest narrator for the Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concerts on Dec. 15-18.
How does she balance these varied commitments?
“Thank goodness for the iPad and iPhone,” Seymour responds with her trademark enchanting smile.
“I definitely work hard, probably too hard. People have told me that I have much more energy than people they know,” she adds. “I count my blessings every day and try to do my best. I just putter along, really.”
Seymour’s deep commitment to service came following “a terrible divorce. My life was in a tailspin, and I was nearly financially bankrupt. I was in a deep, dark tunnel. But I was reminded of a teaching from my mother that if you turn to help someone else, a solution would work itself out.”
She has donated her watercolors and sketches to be reproduced on a credit card for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and on greeting cards with the proceeds going to the City Hearts charity, for which she is the honorary chairperson.
As member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, Seymour traveled with Keach to Africa, where they partnered to film the award-winning documentary “Disease of the Wind,” which recounts the vaccination of 13 million Kenyan children against measles.
“I’ve long been involved with children’s charities,” Seymour modestly says. “Big government is big government. One has very little control over government, I believe. And it’s mind-boggling to see the disparity of wealth and very easy to be in a place of gloom and doom. I try to get out of that place. We have control over donating our time and our money to help those that are close by. It’s important to figure out what you uniquely can do to help.
“Sometimes we don’t realize the big impact we make with even a small gesture.”
Her interest in crafting art, which is often used to raise funds for local and national charities, began at an early age. “Until I suffered an injury, I was studying to become a ballerina," she says. "My parents couldn’t really afford the tremendous cost it was, so I began selling my embroidery and clothes I had created. And I’ve always dabbled in painting. I completed in England what is the equivalent of the first year in college as an art student.”
After donating a piece of artwork to a charity auction, an established artist showed in interest in Seymour's works — which were then hanging in her children’s nursery — and offered to mentor her through private instruction.
“I never imagined that anyone would ever see my work, but I’ve now been painting professional for 16 years.”
One of her watercolors inspired the Kay Jewelers Open Hearts collection of gold and sterling silver pieces, which symbolize that love has no boundaries and flows unconditionally.
“When I was researching the design, I encountered that every faith, every culture, and most philosophers and wise people had one belief in common of an open heart,” Seymour explains in a Deseret News interview. “How wonderful it is to celebrate something that is not specific to one faith or culture. I’ve received amazing letters and people stop and tell me about the impact it has had in their lives, including groups of women who are together fighting breast cancer and reaching out to help one another.”
“I define myself as being very grateful and very present,” she summarizes. “I’m an idea person and constantly stimulated by life.”
Seymour has enjoyed performances of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and reports that the Southern California Mormon Choir recently performed at her home for a charity event. She is also looking forward to celebrating Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concerts.
“Christmas is a wonderful spiritual time to stop and give thanks and connect on a different level,” she says. “There’s nothing quite like a great choir and a great orchestra, and I feel very privileged to be a part of this.”