'Facts of Life' Actress Geri Jewell Comes Out, Discusses Her Cerebral Palsy

Geri Jewell, who is most famous for her role on 'The Facts of Life,' has written an inspiring new memoir, 'I'm Walking As Straight As I Can.' In the book, she opens up about the struggles of living with cerebral palsy and, for the first time, admits to being gay, Broadway World reports.

In her memoir, out April 1, Jewell reveals the discrimination she faced in Hollywood and her fear of revealing her "true sexual identity." The journey continues as she examines the struggles that almost ended her life, including tax problems, a broken marriage and drug addiction.

The actress and comedian made TV history on Dec. 24, 1980, becaming the first person with a disability to appear in a recurring role on primetime television, when she starred as cousin Geri on 'The Facts of Life.'

She has also appeared in the Emmy Award-winning television movie 'Two of a Kind,' '21 Jump Street,' 'The Young and the Restless' and, most recently, HBO's 'Deadwood' from 2003 to 2006.

Jewell has been the recipient of many awards, including the 1992 Founders Award, the 2005 Independent Living Legacy Award and the 2006 National Rehabilitation Hospital Victory Award.