Career
Originally from Buffalo, New York, she is most famous for her role of Geri Tyler on the television program The Facts of Life from 1980 to 1984. This role made her the first person with a disability to have a regular role on a prime time series, as well as the first actor with cerebral palsy to be featured on a television series. In 1980, she performed at the 2nd Annual Media Access, when she was introduced to Norman Lear by producer, Fern Field.
Jewell appeared as the recurring character "Jewel" on the Home Box Office original series Deadwood from 2004—2006.
Her autobiography I"m Walking as Straight as I Can was published in 2011 by ECW Press. The title refers to the facts that she has cerebral palsy and is a lesbian.
Jewell"s original autobiography, Geri, published in 1984, talked about her personal and professional life.
