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Photo by Richard Armas
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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 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 “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”, “Young and the Restless”,
“Strong Medicine” and the HBO hit series, “Deadwood.”
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As "Jewel" on Deadwood.
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When Geri is not
working in television, she 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 C.I.A., The U.S. Treasury Department, Defense Intelligence Agency,
and the U.S. Army.
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Norman Lear, producer of
Facts of Life.
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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.
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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, 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 ABC’s 20/20.
She is co-staring in
a new independent film, “Night of the White Pants” which will be
released on DVD October 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 this year’s 2006 Victory
award.
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Geri doing stand-up comedy
at The Comedy Store. |
“You are a
tremendously bright, witty and endearing person, both on stage and off.
Your speech was one
of the true highlights of our conference: at
the same time hilarious,
moving, inspirational, and thought-provoking. I admire your
dedication and your stamina... and appreciate the importance of the
message that you deliver."
Jeff Schimber, Sr.
VP, Marriott Corporation
“Geri was
wonderful! Every call I get from participants at our conference raves
about her sense of humor and her ability to make them think more
positively about their potential to be whatever they want to be.”
Sherry Repscher, Executive Director,
Utah Governor’s Committee on Disabilities
