Geoffrey Owens, best known for his role as Elvin Tibideaux on The Cosby Show, has shared a candid reflection on his financial challenges, revealing that despite his success in television, he still faces daily struggles to make ends meet.
During a recent appearance on V-103 Atlanta’s “Big Tigger Morning Show,” Owens discussed his ongoing financial difficulties and the aftermath of the 2018 viral photos that showed him bagging groceries at a Trader Joe’s. “I quit Trader Joe’s before the news hit,” Owens explained, revealing that he felt uncomfortable with the invasion of privacy after photos were taken of him working at the grocery store. “It was just too weird. I’m a very private person.”
While the viral photos initially led to public scrutiny, Owens noted that the attention did bring unexpected opportunities. Tyler Perry offered him a role on the OWN drama The Haves and Have Nots, and rapper Nicki Minaj gifted him $25,000. However, Owens chose to donate Minaj’s generous donation to charity, saying it “seemed like the right thing to do at the time.”
Despite these gestures of support, Owens admitted that he still faces financial insecurity. “Even today, right now, as we speak, I still struggle to make a living. I struggle every day to make my ends meet,” he confessed. “People can’t get their heads around that because they see me on TV or in movies. They assume that because I’ve worked in big shows, I must be rolling in money. They don’t understand how the industry works.”
When the show’s host, Big Tigger, mentioned the potential for residuals from The Cosby Show, Owens explained that those checks were not as lucrative as many might think. “I did maybe 20% of the show. And when the show went away due to the scandal with Bill Cosby, the residuals just weren’t there,” he said. “People have a false impression of what the average middle-class actor earns.”
Reflecting on the root of his financial struggles, Owens admitted that his decision to work at Trader Joe’s wasn’t about wanting to escape a comfortable life—it was about survival. “Honestly, I’m not much better off now than I was then,” he said, highlighting the unpredictability of a career in entertainment.
Despite the challenges, Owens expressed his gratitude for Trader Joe’s, calling it a “wonderful place to work.” He even mentioned that he had returned to inquire about working there again, though he did not share whether he was rehired.
In a world where celebrities often appear to have it all, Owens’ story serves as a poignant reminder of the complex realities behind the spotlight, revealing that success in Hollywood doesn’t always equate to financial stability.
