As a movie lover with a deep respect for the craft and the individuals behind it, I find Geoffrey Owens‘ story both heartbreaking and inspiring. His struggle to make ends meet despite his extensive resume in film and television is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of our industry.

Geoffrey Owens openly discussed his present financial status during a recent interview on V-103 Atlanta’s “Big Tigger Morning Show.

Known for his character Elvin Tibideaux in “The Cosby Show,” the actor became a social media sensation in 2018 when pictures of him working at Trader Joe’s were shared online. However, during an appearance on “The Big Tigger Morning Show,” he disclosed that he had actually quit his job at the grocery store before those photos went viral.

Owens stated that he had already left Trader Joe’s before the news broke out. He found it odd because someone was taking photos inside the store, which made him uneasy. With the news now public, he didn’t feel secure continuing to work there, not knowing who might be taking pictures. It all felt too unsettling for his comfort. Being a private person, he prefers not to have his privacy invaded.

He explained, “I didn’t leave with the expectation of earning a large sum of money in the near future. Instead, I felt incapable of managing the level of public scrutiny and invasion of my personal space that such success might bring.

Following the release of the pictures, Owens remembered the chances and assistance he was given by figures in the entertainment industry, including Tyler Perry who provided him a role on the OWN drama “The Haves and Have Nots”, and Nicki Minaj who generously gave him $25,000. Owens mentioned that he decided to contribute the money from Minaj to charity as it felt appropriate at the moment.

Additionally, Owens highly commended Trader Joe’s, labeling it as an “excellent workplace.” He shared that he had expressed interest in returning and requested available shifts, however, he didn’t reveal if his application was accepted.

Despite my appearances in movies like ‘Mr. Santa’ and TV shows such as ‘Poppa’s House’ on CBS, he confessed that even at this very moment, he continues to struggle with making a living. He faces difficulties every day just to cover his expenses, a fact that many find hard to comprehend.

When Big Tigger brought up how Owens was getting “generous” ongoing payments from “The Cosby Show”, Owens clarified that they weren’t really “generous” to him, as he only contributed around 20% of the show.

Additionally, the series took a break due to the controversy surrounding Bill Cosby, its creator and lead actor who faced numerous sexual assault allegations. This incident shed light on people’s misconceptions about the average income of actors in our industry and their struggle to make ends meet. In fact, this is why I initially worked at Trader Joe’s, and despite my current position, I find myself not much better off financially than I was back then.

Watch Owens’ full “Big Tigger Morning Show” interview below.

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2024-12-27 23:46