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Home · SAG Awards

Geoffrey Owens Re-Emerges At SAG Awards With An Inspiring Message

Owens went viral just a few short months ago after being photographed working the register at a Trader Joe’s.
Geoffrey Owens Reportedly Joining Tyler Perry’s ‘The Have And The Have Nots’
By Jasmine Grant · Updated October 23, 2020
For all of the dreamers out there on the verge of giving up, former Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens has got a testimony for you. The 2019 SAG Awards kicked off with its mainstay “I’m An Actor” introductions on Sunday night. The room lit up when the camera unexpectedly panned to Owens, who just a few short months ago went viral after being photographed working the register at a Trader Joe’s.

I'll never forget being out of work & working for Uber. I enjoyed hearing people's stories. It was interesting & convenient. Geoffrey Owens shouldn't have to defend his working at Trader Joes. It's an honest freaking living! https://t.co/wO3qYwD2Jd #GeoffreyOwens #TraderJoes pic.twitter.com/EqOAQC9jvf

— Brody (@brodyradio) September 5, 2018
“So somewhere in the middle of the road of my life, I found myself in the dark wood of unemployment and debt,” he recalled. “But instead of switching careers like a sane person, I took a job at a local Trader Joe’s to see if I could hang in there with my career.” Dispute this brief hiccup in this life, Owens concluded that “it’s actually worked out pretty well,” sending the entire audience into a roar of laughter. Since his photo went viral in September, Owens has been the subject of cruel job shaming. Simultaneously, he’s also received a swell of support on social media from those who admired his tenacity and humility to make such a sacrifice to support his family.

I’ve given up on #rentlive at the moment to watch the #SAGAwards and am glad I did mainly for this Geoffrey Owens cameo!! Elvin is perfect. pic.twitter.com/0OY2P1dgSG

— Michelle Collins (@michcoll) January 28, 2019
Thankfully, Owens’ career didn’t stay down for long. He soon got a second wind thanks to secured roles in NCIS and Tyler’s Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots. In an appearance on Good Morning America, Owens spoke candidly about being thrust into fame after going viral. “When it first happened, I thought it was going to be devastating, I thought it was going to be catastrophic, and it has been the opposite,” he said. “So fortunately, that difficult time didn’t last very long. A couple of hours of humiliation versus the last five months of support and love and employment. So it was worth it.” Chin up, dreamers! The race isn’t over yet.
TOPICS:  Geoffrey Owens
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