After being ‘job shamed’ on social media, this former star is speaking out, and it’s fantastic.
Geoffrey Owens, who played Elvin Tibideaux, (the husband of the eldest Huxtable daughter, Sondra,) was spotted working as a cashier at Trader Joe’s in New Jersey. A woman snapped a couple of pics of him and the photos went viral.
The Media (D) went nuts with his ‘downfall’ to the lowly job of Trader Joe’s cashier.
It’s like the left doesn’t understand the concept of honest work. He was making ends meet and taking care of his family. What’s the problem with that?
People came out in droves on social media, united that Owens shouldn’t be shamed for his job.
Owens said that he had been recognized occasionally, but it was never an issue until the photos appeared on social media. He said that he is still working as an actor, but took the job between gigs. It allowed him some stability of income and the flexibility to audition and take the occasional job.
Owens appeared on Good Morning America and said:
When I first saw the pictures … I was really devastated … I got to a point where I’d been teaching acting and directing for 30 plus years but it just didn’t add up enough. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. I wanted a job that I could I have some flexibility and try to stay in the acting business. I didn’t advertise it, not because I was ashamed of it, but because I didn’t want the acting community to think that I wasn’t pursuing acting anymore.
He has been at Trader Joe’s for the past 15 months, and quit his job because of the sudden exposure.
Trader Joe’s has been pretty amazing, stating that he could come back any time he chooses to.
And it looks like that may no longer be needed.
Now that he has been pushed back into cultural memory, some are taking note of Owens, including Tyler Perry.
#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
TMZ reports that Owens is taking a 10-episode recurring role on the hit show, The Haves and the Have Nots. The show films in Atlanta, and Owens is heading there next week to shoot.
Watch Owens on Good Morning America:
After this interview, you’ve just gotta love this guy’s attitude.
Check out his awesome and humble statement that you just know Mike Rowe is loving:
This business of me being the Cosby guy who got shamed for working at Trader Joe’s, that’s going to pass. I hope what doesn’t pass is this idea that people are now thinking about — what it means to work. The honor of the working person and the dignity of work, reevaluation that some jobs are better than others. It’s not true. There is no job that’s better than another. It may pay better, it may have better benefits, it may look better on paper. But it’s not better. Every job is worthwhile. No one should feel sorry for me. I’ve had a great life, a great career. I’ve had a career most actors would die for. I am doing fine.
All the best to Mr. Owens.
Many Americans will be looking forward to see him again on the small screen.
That’s the American optimism that we are talking about when we say, Make America Great Again.
