Geri from ‘The Facts of Life’ Was Left Broke after Manager’s Arrest - Following 2 Surgeries, She Doesn’t Cry from 'Pain' Anymore

• Geri from "The Facts of Life" has another life following her time on the series.
• Geri Jewell was left broke because of her manager and could not walk without help because of her illness.
• "I'm walking again:" she revealed about her condition at 66.

Geri Jewell is an actress best known for her stint on the television sitcom, "The Facts of Life," where she portrayed the role of Geri Tyler.

She starred as Blair's cousin in the NBC show, which ran for nine seasons from 1979 until 1988. Jewell has cerebral palsy.

The television star made history with her appearance on the series as she became the first individual with a disability to be cast in a primetime TV show with a recurring role.

In an April 2019 interview, Jewell was asked if she ever worried she would not get good roles because some people might find working with someone in her condition difficult. She stated, "You know, not really. I didn't have room to be scared."

When asked what it meant to her being the first person with a visible disability in the hit show, Jewell expressed:

"It's an honor. It's a miracle in itself that I am the first one. I'm proud of the fact that I was able to open the first door."

As for what kind of relationship she had with her co-stars, the New York native revealed they were pals. "I was the closest to Lisa Whelchel. I was 23 when I was cast in the role. Lisa, I believe, was 17. I became very close to Lisa Whelchel," she explained.

When asked if she kept in touch with the rest of her castmates, Jewell divulged, "Not really." Everyone went their separate ways after the show ended. However, they did reunite at the TV Land Awards, including other shows.

"The Facts of Life" alum shared she kept in contact with co-star Charlotte Rae, who played Edna Garrett on the series. Sadly, Rae died in August 2018, and Jewell expressed gratitude for being able to spend time with her before she passed on.

In addition, Jewell has only been married once to Richard Pimentel, whom she wed on June 27, 1992, and divorced on September 15, 2002, after ten years of marriage.

Jewell Was Left Broke Because of Her Manager's Arrest

Jewell's contract on "The Facts of Life" ended in 1984. Moreover, her then-manager was arrested for embezzlement and securities fraud, leaving her broke and without a representative.

Several years later, the show offered her one episode during its fifth season, but her new manager, Richard Lippin, turned down the offer.

He reportedly believed the series was undermining all her work on the show by only offering her one episode after all that time.

Still, not all was lost. In 2004, Jewell landed the role of Jewel in the Western drama series, "Deadwood," which aired for three seasons on HBO.

The film star returned for the Emmy Award-winning series' sequel, "Deadwood: The Movie" in 2019. "Deadwood" is based on the richest gold strike in American history, which resulted in unrest due to an outlaw settlement in South Dakota. It is set in 1876, and in the film, it fast-forwarded to 13 years to 1889.

Despite being axed from "The Facts of Life," Jewell, who wrote a book called "I'm Walking as Straight as I Can," did not stop acting.

When asked what has kept her going all this time, she said, "As a performer, it's because opportunities continue to come my way. As a human being, it's my spirituality, my relationship with God. That is what's moving me forward."

In November 2022, Jewell was spotted out and about in public in California. Amid a celebrity sighting, she was pictured walking with canes while donning an all-black outfit.

"I'm Walking Again": Jewell Reveals Her Life at 66

Jewell, who began her Hollywood career through stand-up comedy, talked about her current life in her sixties. She was asked how she uses her platform to discuss misconceptions about cerebral palsy.

The "Look Who's Laughing" star revealed she makes "fun of the human condition," adding "the healthiest sense we could have is a sense of humor about ourselves."

Thanks to her family that is what she possesses because she was brought up that way. While learning how to walk, her mother would make her laugh whenever she missed a step. "She got me to laugh so I wouldn't take myself seriously," Jewell explained.

Jewell divulged she was okay when asked how she was doing. "I'm walking again in my own special way. I can stand for longer than 30 minutes without going to my knees and crying from pain."

She added it was why she had to undergo spinal cord surgery. But now, she can stand for an extended period in a queue. Jewell acknowledged she will forever be physically disabled, "I've had two spinal cord surgeries, so I'm always challenged. But I'm doing very, very well."

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