Geri Jewell of “Facts of Life” Comes Out in New Book
Geri Jewell of The Facts of Life has written a new memoir revealing that she’s gay – and that’s not all. According to Entertainment Weekly, Geri, now 54, was the first recurring primetime TV character with a disability – and she faced all sorts of obstacles in her Hollywood career, an embezzling manager to substance abuse. The new book, I’m Walking as Straight As I Can: Transcending Disability in Hollywood and Beyond, will hit shelves April 1.
Here are some quotes about Geri and her new book:
“Geri is an amazingly courageous, talented actor. Her view of life is inspirational.” —Lily Tomlin, actress and comedian
“I have known, admired, and adored Geri Jewell since the beginning of her comedy career. She is not only brilliant and funny, she has overcome an impossible obstacle in Hollywood; she’s brunette.” —Elayne Boosler, comedian, writer, and founder, Tails of Joy
In addition to her struggles, Geri also tells of her career highlights, including a performance at the White House in 1985 and her experience playing abused maid Jewel on the HBO series Deadwood. The latter came about when Deadwood creator David Milch ran into Geri at a Santa Monica pharmacy in 2002. She was getting medication for chronic pain in her neck, which she had broken three years before. “I haven’t seen you on TV lately. Do you want to do a series?” he asked her, out of nowhere. Geri’s response: ”I looked at the ceiling and said, ‘God, you have a really quirky sense of humor. I’m standing here with CP and a broken neck, and David Milch wants me to ride a horse.”’
We can’t wait to read it!
