A number of celebrities and entertainment insiders jumped to Geoffrey Owens’ defense after the Daily Mail and Fox News reported that the Cosby Show alum now works at a Trader Joe’s in New Jersey. A shopper had snapped pictures of him bagging groceries.
Owens played Elvin Tibideaux on The Cosby Show from 1985 to 1992. He has since appeared on a number of shows, including Divorce, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Built to Last.
Some people wrote about their own experiences finding work outside of the business. Terry Crews tweeted, “I swept floors AFTER the @NFL. If need be, I’d do it again. Good honest work is nothing to be ashamed of.”
Sabrina the Teenage Witch star Nate Richert tweeted that he’s “currently a maitenance man, a janitor, a carpenter.”
Nate Richert
✔@NateRichert
I’ve been an actor for 32 yrs (since age 8). I’m extremely lucky to have had any success at all, let alone solid work in film and TV for 6yrs (20yrs ago). I’m currently a maintenance man, a janitor, a carpenter, and do whatever random jobs I can get to pay the bills. I do improv
Others pointed to the insignificance of Owens’ job in light of Bill Cosby‘s sexual assault conviction. Writer Max Weiss wrote, “RT if you think Geoffrey Owens took a much more honorable path in his life than Bill Cosby.”
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation also supported Owens, tweeting, “This #LaborDay, we honor #geoffreyowens and ALL of the hard-working actors who work 1, 2, 3 day jobs in order to pay the bills, take care of their families & still work to entertain us. #ActorsWithDayJobs, share yours loud and proud! We’re here for you!
See more actors’ tweets below:
terrycrews
✔@terrycrews
I swept floors AFTER the @NFL. If need be, I’d do it again. Good honest work is nothing to be ashamed of.
Yashar Ali
✔@yashar
Delete this. The man is trying to put food on the table and you’re trying to humiliate him? https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/1035663476180615168 …
Pamela Adlon
✔@pamelaadlon
I had been a working actor for years. Jobs stopped, as they do. I worked in retail. At a flower shop. I passed out flyers. It’s about the work. Work gives you pride and purpose. Your visibility as an actor never goes away. But the money sure does. #geoffreyowens
JD Scott
✔@MrJDScott
This made me so sad that a supposed “News” source would shame a man for simply working a job. How dare they pass judgement on his situation.
Weak @FoxNews.
A photo of actor Geoffrey Owens bagging groceries sparked a conversation about classism https://twitter.com/i/events/1036053343326547968 …
A photo of actor Geoffrey Owens bagging groceries sparked a conversation about classism
Laura Ingraham
✔@IngrahamAngle
He’s working and there is pride in every job! Good for him! #geoffreyowens
Fox News
✔@FoxNews
‘Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe’s http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/08/31/cosby-show-actor-geoffrey-owens-spotted-bagging-groceries-at-nj-trader-joes.html …
Justine Bateman
✔@JustineBateman
So, 26 years after one TV job, this guy looks differently (shock) and is earning an honest living at a Trader Joe’s. The people taking his picture and passing judgment are trash. http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/08/31/cosby-show-actor-geoffrey-owens-spotted-bagging-groceries-at-nj-trader-joes.html …
‘Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe’s
Cosby Show alum Geoffrey Owens, who played Elvin Tibideaux, the young doctor who married into the Cosby family on the famous sitcom, was photographed working at a Trader Joe’s in New Jersey.
foxnews.com
Patricia Heaton
✔@PatriciaHeaton
Again, why is this news? When I worked on “Thirtysomething” I was also summarizing depositions to pay my rent. Why are you trying to humiliate this honorable, hardworking actor? Shame on you! #geoffreyowens – many great blessings are coming your way!
Fox News
✔@FoxNews
‘Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe’s http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/08/31/cosby-show-actor-geoffrey-owens-spotted-bagging-groceries-at-nj-trader-joes.html …
︽✵︽ ashley ︽✵︽
✔@AshleyEsqueda
Trader Joe’s offers:
– Living wages with potential 7-10% raises annually
– Health, dental and vision coverage
– Paid time off
– Good corporate culture
– In-store discountSource: https://www.traderjoes.com/careers
How dare you shame ANYONE for working & making a living, actor or no.
Fox News
✔@FoxNews
‘Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe’s http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/08/31/cosby-show-actor-geoffrey-owens-spotted-bagging-groceries-at-nj-trader-joes.html …
Yashar Ali
✔@yashar
Delete this. The man is trying to put food on the table and you’re trying to humiliate him?
Fox News
✔@FoxNews
‘Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe’s http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/08/31/cosby-show-actor-geoffrey-owens-spotted-bagging-groceries-at-nj-trader-joes.html …
Parker Molloy
✔@ParkerMolloy
I think the most telling thing about all those gross “Look at this actor who was on the Cosby Show working at Trader Joes!” stories about Geoffrey Owens is that a lot of people *reeeeeeally* overestimate how much actors make.
Chase Mitchell
✔@ChaseMit
If you’re trying to shame a cast member from The Cosby Show, I could think of an easier target
Fox News
✔@FoxNews
‘Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe’s http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/08/31/cosby-show-actor-geoffrey-owens-spotted-bagging-groceries-at-nj-trader-joes.html …
Blair Underwood
✔@BlairUnderwood
#NOSHAME in good, honest, hard work. He’s being a man in doing what he needs to do to provide for himself and his family. Much respect to you Sir! http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/08/31/cosby-show-actor-geoffrey-owens-spotted-bagging-groceries-at-nj-trader-joes.html …
‘Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe’s
Cosby Show alum Geoffrey Owens, who played Elvin Tibideaux, the young doctor who married into the Cosby family on the famous sitcom, was photographed working at a Trader Joe’s in New Jersey.
foxnews.com
Jen Euston Casting
✔@jeneuston
This really pisses me off. I’m a fan of Geoffrey’s & when he’s right for something I always bring him in to read. He’s talented & I think age looks great on him!
Check out his IMDB page. He’s a working actor in NY. But guess what? Actors can’t make living wages like that anymore.Lupe Edge@LupeEdge45“The Cosby Show” Star Geoffrey Owens Spotted In Dirty Uniform Working At Trader Joe’s http://dlvr.it/QhhfYn
Scott Isbell
✔@scottisbell_
‘Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe’s – Fox News this is demeaning. There is nothing wrong with making money. We all need to pay the bills. We all have ups and downs. Lets not trash a man who is trying his hardest https://apple.news/AsG_Lkbb-SCqAQqNSO1Mzjg …
‘Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe’s
“Cosby Show” alum Geoffrey Owens, who played Elvin Tibideaux, the young doctor who married into the Cosby family on the famous sitcom, was photographed working at a Trader Joe’s in New Jersey.
apple.news
Audrey Wauchope
✔@audreyalison
In between One Tree Hill and Cougar Town I went back to work as a cocktail waitress. During the first season of Crazy Ex I sold Beauty Counter (don’t at me, I like MLMs). Work is work, no one job is better than another.
Lupe Edge@LupeEdge45“The Cosby Show” Star Geoffrey Owens Spotted In Dirty Uniform Working At Trader Joe’s http://dlvr.it/QhhfYn
Donna Lynne Champlin
✔@DLChamplin
Just a few day jobs I’ve had as an actor: Gym janitor, secretary, telemarketer, temp, envelope stuffer, usher, street sign holder, dresser, parade balloon seller, barmitzvah mannequin, audition accompanist, Christmas Tree…& GRATEFUL 4 all bcz they PAID MY GD RENT! #noshame
Fox News
✔@FoxNews
‘Cosby Show’ actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe’s http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/08/31/cosby-show-actor-geoffrey-owens-spotted-bagging-groceries-at-nj-trader-joes.html …
Aharon Rabinowitz
✔@ABAOProductions
When I look at this picture of Geoffrey Owens, the only things that come to my mind are courage, humility and dedication. Very few artists, especially actors, can fully support themselves in their craft. Taking honest, hard work to offset those dry periods is honorable.
Max Weiss
✔@maxthegirl
RT if you think Geoffrey Owens took a much more honorable path in his life than Bill Cosby
Lupe Edge@LupeEdge45“The Cosby Show” Star Geoffrey Owens Spotted In Dirty Uniform Working At Trader Joe’s http://dlvr.it/QhhfYn
