Geraldine Ann "Geri" Jewell (born September 13, 1956) is an American actress born with cerebral palsy.Originally from Buffalo, New York, she is most famous for her role on the television program The Facts of Life from 1980 to 1984. She was the first person with a disability to have a regular role on a prime time 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, when she was introduced to Norman Lear by producer, Fern Field. After her ground breaking role on The Facts of Life she appeared on such shows as The Great Space Coaster, the Emmy award winning television movie Two of a Kind, Sesame Street, 21 Jump Street, The Young and the Restless, Strong Medicine and as the character Jewell on HBO's Deadwood from 2003 to 2006.When Geri is not working in television, she is an often sought after motivation 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 C.I.A., The U.S. Treasury Department, 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 on going 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, and Stand Up Spotlight on VH1. She has opened for Paul Anka, Robert Goulet, and Judy Collins. She has been featured on Entertainment Tonight, E! True Hollywood Story, and ABC’s 20/20.
Geri has enjoyed a thriving career expanding now over three decades. She has been the recipient of many awards, including the 1992 Founders Award, the 2005 Independent Living Legacy Award, and in 2006, she was awarded a National Rehabilitation Hospital Victory Award.
Her autobiography I'm Walking As Straight As I Can will be released on April 1, 2011 by ECW Press.