In honor of its 20th anniversary — and re-release in theaters on December 4 and 11 — Jane Seymour is revealing some behind-the-scenes secrets about “Wedding Crashers.” The former “Dancing With the Stars” contestant played Kathleen Cleary, the family’s matriarch and Claire’s (Rachel McAdams) and Gloria’s (Isla Fisher) mother.
Despite Claire and John (Owen Wilson) having a romantic interest in each other, Kathleen makes a play for John, with hilarious results. Seymour, who will next appear in Hallmark’s “The Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas,” said that Wilson played a key role in one of her most memorable scenes in the film.
Jane Seymour Recalls Owen Wilson’s Brilliant Improvisation
For Seymour, she can tell what films people have seen her in by what they say to her in public. “If they’re guys and they’re, like, 35, definitely it’s ‘Wedding Crashers,’ she told UPI. “It’s very flattering actually, but these really hot young guys come running up to me and they go, ‘Kitty Kat. Do Kitty Kat.”
“Kitty Kat” is what her character asked John (Wilson) to call her in one of the funniest scenes of the movie. Kathleen is trying to seduce John, corners him in his room, and takes off her top. “Call me Kitty Kat,” she tells him, urging him to feel her breasts. After cupping them and telling her they “feel really nice,” she pulls her shirt closed. “Pervert,” she tells him in disgust before leaving the room. Seymour claimed that Wilson added the last part, which she called “the icing on the cake of a great scene.”
“He whispered to me, ‘When we finish the scene and I leave, just say, “pervert,” the “A Royal Christmas” star said. “That was 100% Owen. It was not scripted. The director didn’t know we were going to do it. Nobody knew. It was brilliant.”
Seymour Credits Risqué Character for Launching ‘Unbelievable Second Career’
Seymour was worried that her “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” fans would be upset with her cougar character. However, it actually created a whole new fanbase.
“I did a ton of comedy after that, of course, worked with Chuck Lorre and did some amazing stuff with him, and now, ‘Harry Wilde,’ that’s very comedic,” she told People. “It opened up an unbelievable second career.”
HallmarkIn the upcoming Hallmark limited series, “The Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas,” Seymour plays a woman named Evelyn, a widow who begins dating Kate’s dad. The series stars Mae Whitman as Kate, a woman who agrees to go on 12 dates using a Christmas dating app. Mary McDonnell, Lucy Eaton, Nathaniel Parker, Toby Sandeman, and Julian Morris also co-star.
