<p>Aug 7, 2024On this episode of the Bill Alexander Show, Bill talks with Geri Jewell. Geri 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 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, where she was introduced to Norman Lear by producer, Fern Field.
After her groundbreaking role on Facts she has 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, Strong Medicine, and the HBO hit series, Deadwood, which she also received Emmy consideration for. She also co-starred in the independent film "Night of the White Pants" and was featured on the FOX series, Alcatraz.
When Geri is not working in television, she is a highly sought after motivational speaker and trainer in the areas of diversity, disability, and GLBT issues. Her training has taken her to such companies as Hewlett Packard, Master Foods, Johnson Wax, AT&T, Amgen, Mass Mutual, and Raytheon. 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.
She has never forgotten her roots in comedy. She has appeared on many of cable comedy shows, including Evening at the Improv on A&E, and Stand Up Spotlight on VHI. She has opened for Paul Anka, Robert Goulet, and Judy Collins. She has been featured on Entertainment Tonight, E! Hollywood True Story, and ABCs 20/20, and A&E’s Biography.
All in all, Geri enjoys 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. Her NEW autobiography, I’m Walking as Straight as I Can received the 2012 Gold Award by the Independent Publishers. She also received the 2013 Golden Halo Award, and the 2013 UCP Life Without Limits Award.</p>
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