Geoffrey Owens, known for his role on “The Cosby Show,” has candidly discussed his ongoing financial struggles in a recent interview. After his 2018 spotlight moment working at Trader Joe’s, Owens shared on the Big Tigger Morning Show in Atlanta that contrary to public perception, his financial situation has not improved significantly.
“I struggle every day to make my ends meet,” Owens revealed, addressing the misconception that actors, particularly those with notable roles, enjoy financial security. “People have the impression that, ‘You’re making a lot of money. What’s the problem? Why would you have financial troubles?’ They don’t understand the specifics of how my industry works.”
Owens, who has appeared in recent projects like “Mr. Santa” and “Poppa’s House” on CBS, emphasized his gratitude for the work he gets but also the reality of the acting profession. “I’m grateful for the work I have. I work more than a lot of people do, so I got to keep perspective,” he added.
The 63-year-old actor had to leave his job at Trader Joe’s after his privacy was compromised by photos taken in the store. “It was strange because someone had been in the store taking pictures,” Owens explained, noting his discomfort with the public scrutiny. “It wasn’t like I quit knowing I would be making a lot of money soon or anything. I just felt like I wasn’t going to be able to handle that kind of scrutiny and attack on my privacy.”
Following the job-shaming incident, Owens received support from the entertainment community, including an offer from Tyler Perry to join his drama series, “The Haves and the Have Nots”. Additionally, he was gifted $25,000 by Nicki Minaj, which he chose to donate to the Actor’s Fund in honor of Earle Hyman.
Despite these opportunities, Owens has returned to Trader Joe’s seeking additional work, acknowledging that his financial situation remains challenging. “Honestly, I’m not much better off now than I was then,” he admitted, pointing out that the residuals from “The Cosby Show” were “never particularly wonderful” since he only appeared in about 20% of the episodes.
This revelation from Owens sheds light on the often-uncertain financial landscape for many middle-class actors in the industry, challenging the public’s perception of celebrity and success.
