CLOSE Geoffrey Owens, the actor who played Elvin on "The Cosby Show," is speaking up after being called out for bagging groceries at Trader Joe's. USA TODAY
Geoffrey Owens played Elvin on "The Cosby Show." (Photo: Getty)
Geoffrey Owens is using his time in the spotlight to help provide financial security to others in the entertainment community.
The "Cosby Show" alum, who was infamously job-shamed earlier this month for working at a New Jersey Trader Joe's, donated $25,000 gifted to him by Nicki Minaj.
“I would like to give this donation of 25K to the Actor’s Fund in memory of the late, great Earle Hyman – who played Cosby’s father, ‘Russell’, on "The Cosby Show" – who lived his last many years and died at the Actors’ Home, (funded and run by the Actor’s Fund),” Owens, 57, said in a statement to TMZ.
He continued: "I am extremely grateful to Nicki Minaj for enabling struggling actors to continue pursuing their dreams."
More: Bill Cosby's legacy: From America's dad to 'America's rapist'
Owens has continued to act, appearing most recently on Fox's "Lucifer." A shopper spotted Owens bagging groceries at Trader Joe's in Clifton, N.J., recently, sparking backlash when Owens was "job shamed" by Fox News and the Daily Mail. A number of celebrities took to Twitter to commend Owens' hard work and say a job is a job, and is nothing to be ashamed of. (Photo: Asbury Park Press)
The "Queen" rapper offered the hefty donation to Owens after a photo of him bagging groceries at the supermarket went viral. (The person who snapped the photo has since expressed regret.)
“This man is a whole (expletive) legend in these streets,” Minaj said on-air during her NSFW Queen Radio show on Beats 1. “That man is now getting so many opportunities, I personally want to donate ... $25,000.”
Owens, who played Sondra Huxtable’s husband, Elvin, on "Cosby" in the '80s and '90s, worked at Trader Joe's for 15 months in between acting gigs to make ends meet.
Geoffrey Owens paired his Trader Joe's name tag with a ball cap from his alma mater, Yale, for his interview on 'Good Morning America.' Owens said working a day job is nothing to be ashamed of. (Photo: Paula Lobo/ABC)
“I’d been teaching, acting, directing for 30-plus years, but it got to a point where it just didn’t add up enough and you gotta do what you got to do," he told Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America," adding the job offered "flexibility" so he could "try to stay in the business."
Several media outlets reported on Owens' day job, in what many including the actor himself deemed as an attempt to job-shame him. The disappointment didn't last long, however, because the unwanted limelight proved fruitful.
Since the viral photo, and the subsequent backlash, Owens landed roles on Tyler Perry's "The Haves and the Have Nots," "NCIS: New Orleans" and Hilary Swank's upcoming thriller "Fatale." The donation from Minaj was the cherry on top, which Owens ultimately decided to donate to a charity close to his heart.
"Thank you to Geoffrey Owens for paying forward his gift from Nicki Minaj & making a very generous donation of $25,000 to our work," tweeted the Actor's Fund, an organization that provides financial support and a "safety net" for entertainers over the course of their lives.
More: After job-shaming, Geoffrey Owens lands gig on Tyler Perry's 'The Haves and the Have Nots'
"Thank you to Geoffrey Owens for paying forward his gift from Nicki Minaj & making a very generous donation of $25,000 to our work. ”~@bstokesmitchell, #TheActorsFund Chairman. Read more about #GeoffreyOwens & #NickiMinaj's support of performing artists. https://t.co/osxTVp26ii — The Actors Fund (@TheActorsFund) September 25, 2018
"I'm happy to be a part of a great cause," the rapper told TMZ. "I wish Geoffrey much success and want him to know how loved he is. Rest in Peace to Earle Hyman."
Related: Celebs defend former 'Cosby Show' actor Geoffrey Owens after Trader Joe's job shaming
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fartballoons on September 27th, 2018 at 05:25 UTC »
People who job-shame are the worst.
I don’t care if you’re flipping burgers or running a hedge fund. Doing what you have to do is admirable and should never be shamed.
azzyazzyazzy on September 27th, 2018 at 04:25 UTC »
Trader Joe's caps out at $24 an hr for non management, matches 10% of all wages paid into a retirement account, has paid time off, multiple levels of health care, extremely flexible scheduling, and raises twice a year. These jobs are hella hard to get. Who the fuck shames that? They were lucky to have Geoffrey and the guy is showing the world what a goddamn class act he is, and how hard it can be to not just chase your dreams but hold onto them.
marfatardo on September 27th, 2018 at 03:54 UTC »
What an impressive man he is. Wow!