During the filming of the 1973 James Bond movie ‘Live and Let Die’, Roger Moore, who had taken over the role of Agent 007 from Sean Connery, played a prank on his young co-star Jane Seymour that left her “mortified” and in tears.
Seymour, who was just 20 years old at the time, had landed the coveted role of Bond girl Solitaire, a tarot-card reading psychic medium employed by the movie’s villain, Dr. Kananga.
Despite her inexperience, Seymour held her own alongside the seasoned Moore, and the two developed a friendly rapport on set.
However, one day during filming, Moore decided to play a prank on Seymour that went too far.
The young actress had a habit of constantly asking for things to be passed to her during cast and crew meals, and Moore saw an opportunity for some mischief.
As Seymour later recalled in an interview, “One day he thought it would be very funny if everyone picked up their trays and walked away when I came. I was mortified. He didn’t say, ‘Oh we were just kidding.’”
The distressed Seymour was left in tears, feeling “very abandoned” by her co-stars.
From then on, she ate her meals with the crew and assistant directors, rather than the main cast.
It wasn’t until many years later that Moore acknowledged his regret over the incident.
In his memoir, he wrote, “I’m not sure she realised it was a joke.”
And it was only a few months before his death in 2017 that he finally apologized to Seymour in person.
During a small party, the two actors spent about 40 minutes alone together, talking about “everything”, including that unfortunate prank.
Seymour said that Moore “was fantastic to me” during filming, always making sure she felt safe and included in social activities.
Despite the tears caused by Moore’s ill-conceived joke, Seymour has spoken fondly of her leading man over the years.
She has described him as “hilarious” and “much funnier in real life than he ever was on film.”
The two also shared some amusing moments during the filming of their love scenes.
Seymour revealed that Moore suggested they both eat liver and onions before shooting a bedroom scene, and that she actually fell asleep in bed because the scene took so long to film.
When she woke up, Moore was leaning over her with a cup of tea.
Even during challenging times, like when they both caught dysentery and ended up in a trailer that was hit by a car, throwing them on the floor together, Moore and Seymour were able to laugh it off.
‘Live and Let Die’ was a huge hit upon its release, and remains the most-watched film ever broadcast on UK television, with over 23 million viewers tuning in when it aired on ITV in 1980.
Moore’s portrayal of Bond was praised by critics and fans alike, with even Sean Connery calling him “an ideal Bond.”
The two actors became close friends, often meeting for lunch and even privately deciding which of them would appear in which film during the “Battle of the Bonds” in 1983.
While Moore’s prank on Seymour may have crossed a line, it’s clear that the two had a special bond both on and off screen.
Their chemistry and comedic timing helped make ‘Live and Let Die’ a classic entry in the James Bond franchise, and cemented their status as iconic figures in Hollywood history.
