Disability Happens ™

by Joe Posner 

In the 1980s, on TV, big changes were taking place the way the disabled were portrayed, and by whom. As TV creator/producers began to stretch and expand their creative freedom, it become more common for disabled actors/actresses to portray disabled characters!

First up, “The Facts of Life.” It was created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon, and developed by Howard Leeds, Ben Star and Jerry Mayer. Starring Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields and Mindy Cohn, notable guest stars included George Clooney, Molly Ringwald, Cloris Leachman and Geri Jewell, among others.

“The Facts of Life” debuted on August 24, 1979. Its last episode aired on May of 1988. It was a spin-off of the popular “Different Strokes.” “The Facts of Life” told the tale of Edna Garrett (Rae) a housemother at a private school for girls.

Late in the series run, the disabled character Geri Warner was introduced, perhaps to boost ratings. Blair’s (Lisa Whelchel) cousin Warner was played by Geri Jewell, an actress with cerebral palsy. This was one of TV’s first instances of disabled actors/actresses playing disabled characters.

Although she believed her character would be recurring in “Facts” sixth season, Jewell was only offered one episode for the season. Jewell said no thank you. Geri Jewell continues to work and rise above her disability. She appeared memorably on HBO’s Deadwood. She was awarded a National Rehabilitation Hospital Victory Award in 2006.

Next up, in a darker mood, “Wiseguy.” Created by Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo, it depicted the life and times of a young government undercover agent. “Wiseguy” starred Ken Wahl, Jonathan Banks and Jim Byrnes. It ran from 1987 to 1990.

The show had a variety of top line guest stars, for celebrated story arcs, including Jerry Lewis, Ray Sharkey, Kevin Spacey, Fred Dalton Thompson, Ron Silver, Joan Chen, Stanley Tucci, Robert Davi, David Strathairn, Paul Winfield and many others.

Actor and jazz-man Jim Byrnes played the pivotal role of Daniel “Lifeguard” Burroughs. Lifeguard was Vinnie’s handy contact on the outside. Byrne played the role in a wheelchair, and that wasn’t acting.

James Thomas Byrnes is a Blues musician and an actor. He lost his legs in a freeway accident on February 26, 1972. Fifteen years later, he was playing Lifeguard on “Wiseguy.”

Byrnes’ wheelchair-bound character was neither a gimmick nor a stunt. Byrnes played Lifeguard in 30 episodes during the series run. Lifeguard was Vinnie/Wahl’s go-to-guy when he needed help, advice, or updates on the case at hand.

Byrnes, in between musical performances, has appeared in a variety of TV shows and movies, most memorably in “Highlander, The Series” as disabled “watcher” Joe Dawson. Byrnes played some of his scenes with artificial legs.

Category : Television