Cosby Star Mocked for Trader Joe’s Cashier Job

Source: Jackson Upper Co.

A former star on the Cosby Show has been job shamed for working as a cashier at Trader Joe’s.

COMING UP: A @GMA exclusive with former "Cosby Show" actor #GeoffreyOwens after he was shamed online for working at a grocery store – so many people coming to his defense as he tries to provide for his family… pic.twitter.com/oB2eOqNfLL

— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 4, 2018

Geoffrey Owens, who played loveable character Elvin Tibideaux on the show, had been working inconspicuously at Trader Joe’s for the past fifteen months. Recently a customer, who recognized Owens, snapped shots of the actor at work and posted those pictures to Twitter. The pics went viral, which resulted in some mocking the actor online and several media outlets writing disparaging articles about his job choice.

Owens appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America to discuss the hurt he initially felt at the job shaming jabs.

“I was really devastated,” Owens told GMA, revealing he had to take the job out of necessity and the store gave him the flexibility to pursue acting gigs. “My wife and I started to read these responses from literally all over the world. Fortunately, the shame part didn’t last very long.”

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! https://t.co/8tgvW3iixr

— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) September 2, 2018

I swept floors AFTER the @NFL. If need be, I’d do it again. Good honest work is nothing to be ashamed of. https://t.co/8mseCpaIqz

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) September 2, 2018

Since the images went viral on Twitter, Owens has received an outpouring of support from fellow actors, with The Middle’s Patricia Heaton tweeting, “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.”

#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

Meanwhile Tyler Perry appeared to offer Owens a job, tweeting, “I’m about to start shooting 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.”

“It’s really overwhelming,” Owens said during his interview on Good Morning America. “It came out of nowhere. I really want to thank everybody out there – family, friends, the Hollywood community and the general public – for the amazing support and positivity they’ve shown for me. It’s quite astounding. It’s very encouraging.”