Disability Happens ™

by Joe Posner 

In the 1990s, on TV, a new era was dawning. Fresh rules drafted by the Screen Actors Guild required TV shows to audition disabled actors for a shot at playing disabled characters. Sometimes they were hired, sometimes not.

First up, “Life Goes On.” It debuted on ABC on September 12, 1989. The story of a family with a Down Syndrome son, it was created by Michael Braverman and starred Chris Burke, Kellie Martin, Patti LuPone and Bill Smitrovich.

The role of Charles “Corky” Thatcher was played by Chris Burke, who has Down syndrome. At birth, Burke’s parents were told to institutionalize him due to his condition. His parents refused the advice, leading to a fuller life for him, including his eventual acting career.

Burke first worked for creator/producer Braverman in “Desperate,” an ABC TV movie. The “suits” at ABC liked Burke’s acting so much they green lit a series built around him.

The first season focused on Corky/Burke as he attended a “normal” high school, despite the fact that the school principal would have preferred Corky be schooled with his own kind. Later seasons spun the show’s focus in other directions, with mixed results.

In the course of the series Corky/Burke acquired a job and a wife, also with Down syndrome. The last show was aired on May 23, 1993.

“Life Goes On” received two acting Emmy awards. Despite positive response, from critics and the viewing audience, neither were for Burke. Burke went on to other acting gigs and wrote a popular autobiography. He currently does public speaking and tours with a folk group.

Next up, “ER.” Debuting on NBC on September 19, 1994, “ER” was created by literary/film giant Michael Crichton. The original cast included Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Sherry Stringfield, Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle. Julianna Margulies, a guest star, became a series regular almost immediately.

“ER” depicts the lives, loves, triumphs and tragedies of the ER staff at County General Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. It is entering its 14th season, making it the longest running medical series in TV history. Famous guest stars have included Zac Efron, Ewan McGregor, Lucy Liu, Mariska Hargitay, James Woods, Ed Asner, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Whitford, Cynthia Nixon and John Leguizamo, among others.

Actress Laura Innes showed up in 1995, during the shows second season. She played Dr. Kerry Weaver, whose character sported an arm crutch and a limp. Interestingly, as originally conceived, Dr. Weaver’s character was not disabled.

Disabled actress Christopher Templeton, who walks with a cane due to polio as a child, was allowed to audition for the role which was ultimately awarded to able bodied Innes. Needless to say, the disabled community at large was not initially pleased with the choice.

To actress Innes’ credit, her performance was so convincing that many believed she was disabled in real life. Innes was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1997 and 1998. She did not win. Innes/Weaver left “ER” during Season 13. Her last episode was “A House Divided.” About to be pushed out for budgetary reasons, Weaver quits to take a TV job in Florida.

Category : Television