He's here, and sporting his Trader Joe's nametag. Former Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens about to speak on @GMA after being shamed online for working at a grocery store. pic.twitter.com/aQxFDGQTkG -- T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) September 4, 2018
The former "Cosby Show" actor job-shamed by some media outlets over the weekend with photos showing him working at a Trader Joe's in New Jersey to make ends meet, said Tuesday he was so upset that he quit his job.
"I was really devastated," Geoffrey Owens, who lives in Montclair, said during an interview on Good Morning America.
But Owens said the outpouring of support he received on social media from the entertainment industry and beyond helped him through it.
"The period of devastation was so short because so shortly after that, the responses my wife and I started to read - literally all over the world ... fortunately, the shame part didn't last very long."
"It hurt, but then, it's amazing," he said.
On the "Cosby Show," Owens played Elvin Tibideaux, the husband of one of the Huxtable daughters, Sandra.
What is wrong with some people? They shame you if you work, if you don't work, if you earn too much, if you don't earn enough. Please people, don't judge others. The best to you Geoffrey Owens. -- Barbara Simmons (@Barbara_S1919) September 4, 2018
He told the Good Morning America hosts he hasn't had an acting job that lasted more than 10 weeks since leaving the sitcom.
However, he has taught acting at Yale and worked other jobs related to entertainment. Those positions didn't pay enough to make ends meet, he said.
The actor said he worked at the Trader Joe's store for 15 months before photos of him working as a cashier appeared in the Daily Mail and on Fox News.
He said people had recognized him in the past and that it was never an issue.
"People recognized me every day and they were very, very cool about it," he said.
Owens added that he wants people to realize that every job is "valuable and worthwhile."
"No one should feel sorry for me," he said. "I've had a great life and I've had a great career."
Moments after the interview, Tyler Perry tweeted: "I'm about to start shootings OWN's number one drama next week! Come join us!!!"
#GeoffreyOwens I'm about to start shootings OWN's number one drama next week! Come join us!!! I have so much respect for people who hustle between gigs. The measure of a true artist. -- Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) September 4, 2018
FULL INTERVIEW: @GMA EXCLUSIVE -- "There's no job better than another...every job is worthwhile..." Actor Geoffrey Owens speaks out, responding to job shaming and backlash after a photo of him working at a grocery store was posted online: https://t.co/0wZJnpowI9 pic.twitter.com/aNiG5fV2yf -- Good Morning America (@GMA) September 4, 2018
Woman who took photo of 'Cosby' actor working at N.J. Trader Joe's totally regrets it
Stop shaming 'Cosby Show' actor for working at N.J. Trader Joe's, internet says
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
tomhastherage on September 4th, 2018 at 21:31 UTC »
Damn, that's fucked up. Here's just a dude trying to live his life.
cobainbc15 on September 4th, 2018 at 21:04 UTC »
While I really don't like Tyler Perry's comedy/work, this is actually a really nice thing of him to do!
MrsPandaBear on September 4th, 2018 at 20:41 UTC »
It’s an actor’s life to have to take survival jobs in between gigs. Even someone who has had steady work can reach a dry spell necessitating a second job. His IMDb page notes he’s been working steadily on tv gigs.