By Dave Tuttle

Jane Seymour is a woman with a passion for life. Her career has encompassed virtually all media forms-from movies and the Broadway stage to books and art-yet she has no intention of slowing down as the years progress.

In fact, Jane seems energized by the many opportunities that lie ahead, including her participation in The Heart Truth, a national campaign to raise women's awareness of heart disease. As part of this campaign, Jane is teaming with the California Pistachio Commission to create "Art for the Heart," four original, heart-inspired paintings by Seymour that are being sold as limited-edition note cards to support women's heart health initiatives

Born in Hillingdon, England, and raised in Wimbledon by a British obstetrician and his Dutch wife, Jane began training in dance at an early age, and was just 13 when she made her professional debut with the London Festival Ballet. That same year, she entered the Arts Educational for dance, music, and theater training, and danced with the visiting Kirov Ballet.

After suffering an injury, she turned to acting, first appearing in Richard Attenborough's Oh, What a Lovely War, and shortly thereafter portraying Solitaire in the popular James Bond film, Live and Let Die. Catapulted to stardom by this role, she has since played many different characters, including the title role in the popular television drama, Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman.

Not one to rest on her laurels, Jane continues to star in projects for the small and big screen, including the upcoming movie, The Blind Guy. She will no doubt be a creative force for years to come.

Life Extension recently caught up with Jane at a Beverly Hills bistro, where the conversation quickly turned to heart health and longevity.

Life Extension: Your career has spanned so many artistic forms. Is there a particular medium you like the best?

Jane Seymour: I like each medium for its own reasons. There is nothing like being live in front of an audience, but film is great, too, because you can do multiple takes and have enough budget to get things right. TV is also good because it allows you to reach a wider audience. All in all, film is best because you can do things properly.

LE: Tell us about your latest project. How is it different from others you've done?

JS: My latest film, The Blind Guy, is about a kid born blind who is attempting to find love. I play a comedic psychologist who helps the kid when he falls in love with an East Indian girl. It's a wonderful script that is different from anything else out there. It's good to be playing comedy again, but I look very different than I normally look. It's definitely a character role.

LE: One of your most notable roles, Dr. Quinn, was very popular because it speaks to the importance of family. What are your views about different generations working together for a common goal?

JS: One of the plusses of the Dr. Quinn show was that it showed how every generation has its own role. This concept seems to be lost for many people in society today, who see older people as redundant. Every generation needs to realize how valuable each person is and how fortunate we all are to have each other. Each individual offers special thoughts and experiences, and everyone needs to realize that. The show discussed contemporary issues set in the 1870s. These issues are still valid today.

LE: You've been so active with your books and charitable events that I doubt you will ever retire in the traditional sense. What are your views on longevity and the need to stay active?

JS: My role model is my mother, who is 90 years old. She would still be running a business if she had the chance, but she has macular degeneration and arthritis, so she is unable to. Still, she goes to the cinema and is always helping other- people. She is so full of compassion. She believes that you need to get involved and stay involved. We both believe that the older you get, the more you have to offer society-not less.