Jane Seymour Shares How Owen Wilson’s Nerves Made Filming the Wedding Crashers Nude Scene Even Funnier
Jane Seymour and Owen Wilson in Wedding Crashers.
Credit:
Moviestore/Shutterstock
NEED TO KNOW
- Jane Seymour starred alongside Owen Wilson in the 2005 film *Wedding Crashers*
- Speaking with PEOPLE, she recounts how Wilson’s hesitations about the nude scene between them led to the final result being even funnier than intended
- Seymour says the film opened new avenues for her career, despite being nervous to audition
Two decades after garnering critical attention with her provocative scene in *Wedding Crashers*, actress Jane Seymour reflects on a bold career decision that significantly changed the trajectory of her professional life. The film, which starred Seymour alongside Owen Wilson, is set to return to theaters on December 4 and 11 for its 20th anniversary.
Seymour, 74, shared her memories of filming the notable scene where her character, wealthy society figure Kathleen Cleary, makes a daring advance on Wilson’s character. As she recalls, both actors felt apprehensive before the scene where Kathleen aggressively seduces Wilson’s character, insisting he touch her and call her “Kitty Cat.”
Owen Wilson and Jane Seymour in Wedding Crashers.
Richard Cartwright
“Owen was actually very nervous about the whole experience, and I was too!” Seymour revealed. “But when I’m in character, I’m Kathleen Cleary. So I said, ‘Jane Seymour might have a problem with what you’re going to do, but currently I’m not her. I’m Kathleen.’ And at first he was like, ‘Ooh, I don’t know.’”
The scene evolved as both actors embraced their roles, with Wilson’s real-life discomfort contributing to the comedic effect. Director David Dobkin guided them through takes, often urging Wilson to adjust his hand positioning. “So the whole experience of shooting it was funnier even than the actual scene!” Seymour remarked.
An unexpected comic moment occurred as they neared the end of filming, when Wilson suggested adding a quip: “After we’d done the scene and we were doing one more last take, Owen whispered to me and said, ‘When the scene finishes and you leave, just say ‘Pervert.’ I said, ‘Okay,’ and that was the button that that scene needed, and it was amazing,” Seymour recalled.
Initially hesitant about taking on such a racy role following six seasons on the family-friendly *Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman*, Seymour feared how it might be received by both Hollywood and her loyal fanbase. “Nobody was hiring me for comedy at all, and my agent said that I would have to audition, screen test, etc.,” she recalled. “Then I found out that every actress of my age group would literally kill for this role.”
However, upon reading the script multiple times, her perspective shifted. “The third time I thought, ‘I have to play this role. I just know exactly what I’d do with it, and this is hilarious and iconic,’” she stated.
Christopher Walken, Jane Seymour, Keir O’Donnell in Wedding Crashers.
Richard Cartwright/New Line/Avery Pix/Kobal/Shutterstock
Having rarely auditioned throughout her career — which included being a Bond girl and starring in acclaimed miniseries — Seymour pushed herself to audition and ultimately secured the role. “When I got it, David Dobkin looked at me and said, ‘Oh, we love your work from *Live and Let Die*.’ They thought I’d done nothing since then!”
Describing her role as transformative, Seymour noted the unique humor of her playing Kathleen Cleary so soon after her previous work in drama. “There was a whole level of humor to playing Kathleen that I don’t think they had any idea about,” she remarked.
Reflecting on the film, Seymour expressed pride and gratitude. “I’m very proud of that movie. I’m so glad I did it,” she said. “It opened up a whole career for me. I did a ton of comedy after that, and now I’m doing *Harry Wilde*, which has a comedic element as well. It opened up an unbelievable second career.”
Tickets for the anniversary screening of *Wedding Crashers* are now available, featuring previously unreleased scenes from the original film.
