Former ‘Cosby Show’ Actor Who Was Shamed for Working at Trader Joe’s Makes SAG Awards Appearance

Proud actor alert! After being shamed for working at a New Jersey Trader Joe’s in September 2018, Geoffrey Owens, 57, made an appearance at the 2019 SAG Awards on January 27.

“Somewhere in the middle of the road of my life, I found myself in the dark wood of unemployment and debt,” the Hollywood star said in an introduction to the show. “But instead of switching careers like a sane person, I took a job at Trader Joe’s to see if I could hang in there. And um, it’s actually worked out pretty well. I’m Geoffrey Owens and I’m an actor.” Geoffrey received a loud applause from the audience.

The Brooklyn native played Elvin Tibideaux on The Cosby Show from 1985 to 1992. In September 2018, a customer leaked photos of Geoffrey working the register at the grocery store. However, many of his fans and friends defended the actor.

“It’s really overwhelming, in a good way,” he told Robin Roberts at the time. “I kind of feel like that character in that Woody Allen movie that wakes up one morning and he’s a celebrity all of a sudden.”

The Cosby Show alum took the job because he wanted something with more “flexibility,” but didn’t realize that it would make headlines. He added, “My wife and I started to read these responses from, like, literally all over the world. I really want to thank everybody out there … for the incredible support, the amazing support and positivity that they’ve shown me. It really is quite astounding.”

However, he didn’t want anyone to offer jobs to him just because they felt sorry for him. “I want to get a job because I’m the right person for the job,” he said. “But there is all kind of interest now because of this, so that’s nice. I feel like I’m more of a celebrity now than I’ve ever been.”

Luckily, it seems like the stars aligned for the actor. Tyler Perry, 49, offered him a role in his drama called The Have and the Have Nots on OWN network.

We’re so glad that Geoffrey is doing well.