Cosby Show Alum Geoffrey Owens Breaks Silence After Being Shamed Over Trader Joe's Job

Former star of The Cosby Show, Geoffrey Owens, is not embarrassed of his latest gig — nor should he be.

On Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, the actor, who portrayed Elvin Tibideaux on the '80s sitcom, spoke out for the first time since multiple media outlets job-shamed him for making ends meet as a cashier at a Trader Joe's in Clifton, N.J.

"I was really devastated," Owens said during an appearance on Good Morning America, but added that "the period of devastation was so short" because of the love and support he's since received on social media. He went on to thank everyone for their "amazing support and positivity," saying, "It's very encouraging." The actor, who's appeared in a number of stage productions and television series since his days on the once-beloved NBC show, added, "No one should feel sorry for me either from a positive or negative perspective. I've had a great life and a great career. ...I'm doing fine."

As Nicki Swift previously reported, Owens was seen bagging groceries at the popular grocery store chain last week, with some outlets appearing to criticize him for working a regular job. A number of fans and celebs quickly took to social media to defend him, with many emphasizing the financial realities of being a working actor. "I swept floors AFTER the @NFL. If need be, I'd do it again," Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews tweeted. "Good honest work is nothing to be ashamed of."

During his recent GMA interview, Owens explained, "I've been teaching, acting, directing for 30-plus years, but it got to a point where, you know, it just didn't add up enough, and you gotta do what you gotta do." While he recently quit his job at Trader Joe's after 15 months due to the heightened media attention, he added, "I wanted a job where I could have some flexibility, try to stay in the business."

"There's no job that's better than another job," the 57-year-old actor went on, adding, "Every job is worthwhile and valuable." Well said.

As for his acting career prospects, Owens emphasized that he "wouldn't feel comfortable" getting hired over this situation rather than on the merit of an audition. However, he did gain the attention of multi-hyphenate Tyler Perry, so who knows what the future holds? As Perry recently tweeted, "#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." Indeed.