A fan favorite ’80s television star recently shared a fun reunion on social media that had everybody feeling nostalgic. Lisa Whelchel, who played Blair Warner in The Facts of Life, had an opportunity to spend time with former costar Geri Jewell, and the photo that Whelchel shared was a big hit.
On October 29, Whelchel, 63, posted a snapshot on Instagram. The photo showed her standing next to Jewell, with one arm around her former costar’s shoulder. Both ladies smiled as the picture was taken.
In the caption, Whelchel wrote, “So great to hang with my dear friend Geri Jewell. We have known each other almost 50 years!”
She added, “She was my first roommate. Old friends are gold!”
Jewell, 70, who has cerebral palsy, played Geri Tyler on The Facts of Life. She appeared in 12 episodes, playing Blair’s cousin, and she notes on her website that she “received worldwide recognition [for] being the first person with a disability to be cast in a prime-time series.”
Whelchel’s Instagram post received hundreds of comments and over 24,000 likes.
“Omgosh, Geri! I loved her, she should have been a regular on Facts Of Life. She’s so good,” one fan gushed.
Another wrote, “She’s all our cousin, Geri!!!!!!!!!”
Someone else added, “This photo made my day.”
An additional comment read, “Love this picture. Such an important show to introduce actors with physical challenges and see them treated as everyone else in the room.”
Fans declared that both ladies looked fantastic and love that they remain friends all these years later.
‘The Facts of Life’ star Lisa Whelchel attends the Saving Innocense Gala in 2015. FS2 / WENN.com / MEGA
After her time on The Facts of Life, Jewell went on to appear on Sesame Street, 21 Jump Street, and nine episodes of The Young and the Restless as Rose, her IMDb page details. She later played Jewell in 2019’s Deadwood: The Movie and in 2025 appeared in a short titled AEIOU.
Whelchel also remained in the entertainment business after The Facts of Life ended. Her IMDb page shares that she was a contestant on Survivor: Philippines in 2012, and more recently, she hosted a television series titled Collector’s Call.
This story ’80s Sitcom Star Shares Sweet Reunion With a Familiar Face first appeared on Closer Weekly. Follow Closer Weekly on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.