Contributor

Geri Jewell

Actress, motivational speaker and trainer in the areas of disability and diversity

Geri Jewell is best known as Cousin Geri on the NBC sitcom “The Facts of Life.” She was the first person with a disability to have a regular role on a primetime series. She began her career doing stand up comedy at the Comedy Store in 1978. In 1980 she performed at the 2nd Annual Media Access Awards, where she was introduced to the legendary Norman Lear by producer, Fern Field. The rest, as they say, is TV history.
 
After her ground breaking role on “Facts of Life,” Geri appeared on such shows as “The Great Space Coaster,” the Emmy-award-winning movie “Two of a Kind,” “Sesame Street,” “21 Jump Street,” “The Young and the Restless” and “Strong Medicine.” Enthralled with Geri's talent, creator/writer/producer David Milch ("NYPD Blue") created the role of Jewell on the acclaimed HBO hit series “Deadwood” specifically for Geri. In fact, she was the first person cast on the show!

Geri is a highly sought-after motivational speaker and trainer in the areas of disability and diversity. She has consulted for such companies as Hewlett Packard, Master Foods, Johnson Wax, AT&T and Amgen. She has also trained such government agencies as the CIA, The U.S. Treasury Department, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Army.

She is famous for her uncanny ability to captivate the hearts of her audiences by using humor to facilitate attitudinal change. Geri brings to her presentations her personal experiences in life, which in turn allow people to gain insight into the prospect of seeing disability in a totally different light, creating hope where there is none, and joy where there is pain.

In addition to her ongoing speaking circuits, she has never forgotten her roots in comedy. She has appeared on many of the cable comedy shows, including "Evening at the Improv" on A&E, "Stand Up Spotlight" on VH1 and, most recently, "After Lately" on E!. She has opened for Paul Anka, Robert Goulet and Judy Collins; been featured on "Entertainment Tonight," E! "True Hollywood Story" and ABC's 20/20, as well as "Larry King Live," among others.

She co-starred in the independent film, “Night of the White Pants” which was released on DVD Oct. 14, 2008.

All in all, Geri is enjoying a thriving career. She has been the recipient of many awards, including the 1992 Founders Award, the 2005 Independent Living Legacy Award and the 2006 Victory Award.

Most recently, Geri was reunited with her co-stars from "The Facts of Life" for the 2011 TV Land Awards, which honored the cast with their Pop Culture Award, and was featured in People magazine.

In April 2011 Geri released her autobiography, "I'm Walking as Straight as I Can: Transcending Disability In Hollywood and Beyond," with a forward by Patty Duke.

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