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The word “LEGACY” displayed in gold lettering against a sparkling gold background.

Legacy Award

Meet the nominees for The DARCYS, recognizing artists, storytellers, and advocates advancing authentic disability representation.

The Legacy Award recognizes an individual whose groundbreaking achievements and advocacy have transformed disability representation in entertainment, arts, and culture, creating lasting impact for future generations.

Copilot said: Professional headshot of a person with shoulder-length hair smiling toward the camera against a light background.

Recipient: 

  • Geri Jewell

Biography: 

Geri Jewell shattered the glass ceiling for individuals with disabilities when she was cast by Norman Lear in the hit series "The Facts of Life" in her best known role, Cousin Geri, and became 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. Two years later, 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”, which she also received Emmy consideration for her performance. She also co-starred in the independent film “Night of the White Pants” and was featured on the FOX series, “Alcatraz”.

When Geri is not working in television, she is a highly sought after motivational speaker and trainer in the areas of diversity, disability and LGBTQ issues, providing training at a number of major companies and government agencies.

She has appeared on many 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”, and A&E’s “Biography”.

She has been the recipient of many awards, including the 1992 Founders Award, the 2005 Independent Living Legacy Award, and the 2006 Victory award. Her autobiography, “I’m Walking as Straight as I Can” received the 2012 Gold Award by the Independent Publishers. In 2026, Geri released “Geri's Jewels & Gems," a collection of columns that she wrote for Ability Magazine over six years, as well as fun photos from Geri's life that she chose herself.