Did you watch Facts of Life growing up? Who didn't, right? Do you remember “Cousin Geri”? She was played by Geri Jewell, who was born with cerebral palsy.
Geri began her career in standup at The Comedy Store in 1978, and went on to perform in the 2nd Annual Media Access Awards, where she met Norman Lear.
When she got the role in Facts of Life, Geri became the first person with a disability to be hired for a recurring role on prime time television. And in April, her memoir will be released—a memoir in which she comes out as a lesbian.
According to Jezebel, the memoir's title, I'm Walking as Straight as I Can, refers to both her cerebral palsy and the fear of revealing her “true sexual identity.”
And who can blame her for being scared, what with multiple stars saying that coming out in Hollywood can ruin your career? We're glad she's overcoming her fear.
Geri began her career in standup at The Comedy Store in 1978, and went on to perform in the 2nd Annual Media Access Awards, where she met Norman Lear.
When she got the role in Facts of Life, Geri became the first person with a disability to be hired for a recurring role on prime time television. And in April, her memoir will be released—a memoir in which she comes out as a lesbian.
According to Jezebel, the memoir's title, I'm Walking as Straight as I Can, refers to both her cerebral palsy and the fear of revealing her “true sexual identity.”
And who can blame her for being scared, what with multiple stars saying that coming out in Hollywood can ruin your career? We're glad she's overcoming her fear.
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