Actress & Disability Advocate Geri Jewell Bio
Geri Jewell is an American actress, comedian, motivational speaker, and author, known for her groundbreaking roles that have helped increase disability awareness in Hollywood and beyond
.
The following is a brief overview of her life and career:
- Early Life: Geri Jewell was born on September 13, 1956, in Buffalo, New York. She was born prematurely and spent her first three months in an incubator, unable to be physically touched due to beliefs about caring for premature babies at the time.
- Career Beginnings: After dropping out of college, Jewell began her career in stand-up comedy at The Comedy Store in Hollywood in 1978.
- "The Facts of Life": In 1980, Jewell became the first actress with a visible disability to have a recurring role on a prime-time series, playing Cousin Geri on "The Facts of Life". Producer Norman Lear discovered her at the 2nd Annual Media Access Awards and personally chose her for the role.
- Other Roles: Jewell has appeared in other TV shows, such as "Deadwood," "21 Jump Street," "The Young and the Restless," and "Glee". She also appeared in "Deadwood: The Movie" in 2019.
- Advocacy and Motivational Speaking: Jewell is a leading advocate for disability rights and awareness. She is a motivational speaker who promotes understanding of disabilities and diversity for Fortune 500 companies. She is also one of the original trainers for the internationally recognized disability awareness program, WINDMILLS.
- Author: Jewell wrote an autobiography titled "I'm Walking As Straight As I Can: Transcending Disability in Hollywood and Beyond," which won the Independent Publishers – First place Gold Award for best Memoir of 2012.
- Personal Life: Jewell was previously married to Richard Pimentel. In her autobiography, she discussed her struggle with chronic pain and revealing her true sexual identity. She has publicly stated she is a proud gay woman with cerebral palsy.
- Awards: In 2011, Jewell received the SAG-AFTRA Disabilities Awareness Award at the Media Access Awards. In 2024, the Media Access Awards established the Norman Lear-Geri Jewell Lifetime Achievement Award.
Geri Jewell Biography
Geri Jewell is an American actress, comedian, diversity consultant, and motivational speaker
. She is widely recognized as the first person with a disability to be cast in a prime-time series.
Early Life and Career:
- Born in Buffalo, New York, she moved to California at a young age.
- Jewell began her career as a stand-up comedian at The Comedy Store in 1978, using humor to address her cerebral palsy and connect with audiences.
- Her talent caught the attention of producer Norman Lear, who cast her as Cousin Geri on the sitcom The Facts of Life in 1980.
Key Achievements:
- First Actor with a Disability on Prime-time TV: Her role on The Facts of Life provided visibility and authentic representation for people with disabilities in media.
- Role in Deadwood: Jewell later appeared as a recurring character, Jewel, in the HBO series Deadwood, showcasing her versatility as an actress and earning Emmy consideration.
- Advocacy and Motivational Speaking: Jewell became a prominent advocate for inclusion and diversity, consulting with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. She uses her platform to educate and inspire others.
- Author: She wrote an autobiography titled I'm Walking as Straight as I Can, which chronicles her journey navigating Hollywood with a disability and her experience as a lesbian. The book has received several awards.
Legacy:
Geri Jewell's career has inspired many individuals with disabilities and continues to push for greater inclusivity in the entertainment industry. She has broken down barriers and challenged stereotypes, demonstrating that talent and determination are what truly matter.
