Social Media Defends 'Cosby Show' Actor Geoffrey Owens After Being Photographed Bagging Groceries

Thousands are coming to the defense of former Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens after he was photographed bagging groceries in a New Jersey Trader Joe’s.’ A woman named Karma Lawrence took a photo of the actor while he was working at a Clifton, New Jersey location of the grocery store, and apparently sold it to news outlets. In the photo, a bearded Owens can be seen bagging groceries. “It was a shock to see him working there and looking the way he did,” Lawrence told the Daily Mail. “It made me feel really bad. I was like, “‘Wow, all those years of doing the show and you ended up as a cashier.’” But many are coming to the defense of Owens after Fox News also posted the story, using the opportunity to speak about the honesty and integrity behind hard work — no matter how it may look. Owens played Elvin Tibideaux, the husband of Sondra Huxtable, on The Cosby Show between 1985 and 1992.

'Cosby Show' actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe's https://t.co/bhkxWYa9gq

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 31, 2018

“So the f*** what? He was doing what he needed to do to for his family,” Basketball Wives star Tami Roman said in one of her “Bonnet Chronicles” rants on Saturday. “That man is honorable, has dignity, respectful, doing what he needs to do for himself and his family,” she added. “And there is no shame in that!” Others also shared their support of his Owens with their own stories. Actors also pointed out that part-time work is extremely common in the industry. https://twitter.com/elonjames/status/1035948716384026624

In 2008, I left a job at KTTV voluntarily. Then the economy crashed & I couldn’t find steady work. I struggled. At one point I called my agent & told her I was going to apply at Target. I wasn’t ashamed. I needed to work. I had bills. And an honest days work is just that, honest.

— Nischelle Turner (@nischelleturner) September 1, 2018

When I look at this picture of Geoffrey Owens, the only things that come to my mind are courage, humility and dedication. Very few artists, especially actors, can fully support themselves in their craft. Taking honest, hard work to offset those dry periods is honorable. pic.twitter.com/tql80NegJt

— Aharon Rabinowitz (@ABAOProductions) September 2, 2018

Owens has yet to respond to the viral interest in his job status. Based on his IMDB resume, he is still a working actor and acting teacher.