Geoffrey Owens, who became a household name for his role as Elvin Tibideaux on The Cosby Show, has revealed that he is still grappling with financial insecurity—nearly six years after the viral photos of him working at Trader Joe’s sparked widespread attention.
In a candid interview on Atlanta’s V-103 radio, the 63-year-old actor shared that he continues to “struggle every day to make my ends meet.” Despite his prominent role on one of the most iconic TV shows of the 1980s and ’90s, Owens explained that many people mistakenly assume that successful actors are financially secure. “People can’t get their heads around that because they see me in movies,” he said. “But I’m not much better off now than I was when those photos hit the internet.”
Owens, a Yale graduate and the son of former New York Congressman Major Owens, admitted that the public often has a distorted view of the financial realities for “middle-class actors.” “People have a false impression of what the average actor makes,” he said. “They don’t understand the specifics of how the industry works.”
His life took an unexpected turn in 2018 when photos surfaced of him working as a cashier at Trader Joe’s, leading to initial shame and judgment. “At first, there was some negative stuff about basically the job shaming,” Owens recalled. “A ‘Where is he now?’ kind of thing.” But soon after, the tide shifted, and Owens was overwhelmed with support from fans, fellow celebrities, and well-wishers from around the world.
However, the experience ultimately prompted Owens to leave his job at Trader Joe’s. “It was strange because someone had been in the store taking pictures,” he shared. “And I was like, now that this is breaking, I’m not going to feel comfortable working in this store wondering who is around with a camera.” As a private person, the unwanted attention was too much for him to handle. “It wasn’t like I quit knowing I would be making a lot of money soon,” he explained. “I just couldn’t deal with the scrutiny and the invasion of my privacy.”
Owens also revealed that the fallout from the scandal surrounding The Cosby Show‘s star Bill Cosby had a direct impact on his financial situation. After Cosby’s allegations led to the series being pulled from syndication, Owens’ residuals—once a steady source of income—dried up.
Despite the difficulties, Owens did receive some financial support. Nicki Minaj famously sent him $25,000, though he chose to donate it to charity. “It just didn’t feel right to keep it,” he explained, adding that he felt he should “earn” any financial assistance he received.
Since the viral incident, Owens has continued acting, securing roles in Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots, as well as in the hit shows Power and Power Book II: Ghost produced by 50 Cent. He is also currently starring in the CBS sitcom Poppa’s House, alongside Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., and appears in the holiday film Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza.
Yet, even with his renewed career in Hollywood, Owens revealed that he has returned to his old job at Trader Joe’s, admitting that acting alone is not enough to sustain him. “I still don’t earn enough money to live comfortably by just acting,” he confessed. “I have to make ends meet somehow.”
Geoffrey Owens’ story serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of the entertainment industry and the harsh realities many actors face—no matter how successful they may seem. Despite his struggles, Owens’ humility and resilience in the face of adversity have earned him the admiration of fans and peers alike.
