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What’s wrong with working for a living?
That’s what supporters of Geoffrey Owens are asking as they defend the “Cosby Show” actor after a number of media reports, including one from Fox News, showed him now working at a Trader Joe’s in New Jersey.
“It made me feel really bad,” the woman who originally spotted him and posted images of him on social media told the U.K.’s Daily Mail. “I was like, ‘Wow, all those years of doing the show and you ended up as a cashier.’”
Many were outraged by the implication that Owens should somehow be ashamed for working a day job.
Owens played the son-in-law of Bill Cosby’s character on the classic sitcom from 1985 to 1992. The 57-year-old is still a working actor, with 41 acting credits, according to Amazon.com Inc.’s AMZN, +0.52% IMDB, and teaches acting as well. But a number of actors have pointed out that the vast majority in their profession are not millionaires, and for most, acting is not a full-time job.
I had been a working actor for years. Jobs stopped, as they do. I worked in retail. At a flower shop. I passed out flyers. It’s about the work. Work gives you pride and purpose. Your visibility as an actor never goes away. But the money sure does. #geoffreyowens pic.twitter.com/BBzZaBrGBx
— Pamela Adlon (@pamelaadlon) September 2, 2018
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
After 5 years on a tv show I worked as a cashier at HMV, worked the door at nightclubs, was a restaurant hostess and taught ballet to help put myself through school. Got used to hearing "aren't you from Degrassi?" daily. #geoffreyowens https://t.co/tdPa7G6ThP
— Dr Rebecca Haines-Saah (@RebeccaSaah) September 2, 2018
I used to be ashamed that I had to work a second job to support my acting career, wrongly believing it was some sort of failure. Now I see it as an absolute anchor; providing financial stability and a humbling structure within a turbulent industry. Fly the flag #GeoffreyOwens 🙌
— Jonno Davies (@Jonno_Davies) September 2, 2018
Maybe instead of shaming an actor who used to be on tv for having a 2nd job in a grocery store we should be talking about the poor wages most actors get paid. Senior actors getting less than an office junior is not uncommon. 2nd jobs are inevitable & actors have to be resourceful
— Juliet Cauthery (@julietta_cauth) September 1, 2018
So, 26 years after one TV job, this guy looks differently (shock) and is earning an honest living at a Trader Joe’s. The people taking his picture and passing judgment are trash. https://t.co/OUbOORk6jW
— Justine Bateman (@JustineBateman) September 1, 2018
I worked in a Wetherspoons kitchen after being in Harry Potter. I needed a job, no shame in that. And you know what? I really enjoyed it! You do what you need to do and that's nothing to be ashamed of. https://t.co/1RI8sltHMe
— Chris Rankin (@chrisrankin) September 1, 2018
#NOSHAME in good, honest, hard work. He’s being a man in doing what he needs to do to provide for himself and his family. Much respect to you Sir! https://t.co/rQoNdnj6bd
— Blair Underwood (@BlairUnderwood) September 2, 2018
Some pointed out that as a veteran character actor, Owens gets paid far less that a regular on a TV series. He has likely been receiving residuals from “The Cosby Show” for decades, though it’s unlikely to be enough to live on — especially now that reruns of the show have been pulled from syndication after Bill Cosby was found guilty of sexual assault. And while the Screen Actors Guild offers insurance benefits, at 57, Owens may need more coverage that he is eligible for.
As far as retail jobs go, Trader Joe’s is pretty good. The grocery chain is on Glassdoor’s 100 best places to work in 2018, pays an above-average minimum wage, offers annual bonuses and provides health insurance and retirement benefits for even part-time workers.
“That man is honorable, has dignity, respectful, doing what he needs to do for himself and his family,” actress Tami Roman said Saturday on Instagram. “And there is no shame in that!”