From Bagging Groceries, To Securing The Bag
JaMonet Rice
JaMonet Rice
When it comes to jobs, people are concerned about two things: time and more importantly, money. Especially for actors who are trying to catch their big break. Because if you are not George Clooney or Viola Davis, chances are you count on a check from IHop or Randy’s Doughnuts to support yourself. But what happens to actors who caught a nice break, but suddenly find themselves back at square one? The recipient of this question is Geoffrey Owens, a man who played Elvin Tibideaux on the once beloved “The Cosby Show”.
A couple of weeks ago, Owens was photographed bagging groceries at Trader Joe’s. This photo eventually led to a backlash brought on by Fox News, who proceeded to make fun of the former actor. This scandal opened up questions about job shaming and why people thought it was such a big deal that Owens was working what’s considered to be a “menial job.’ “People want to judge him because he’s a black man working,” says Kennedy Dunning, a senior at Hillgrove High School. Owens, who is a graduate of Yale University (cum laude) landed the role of Elvin Tibideaux in 1985, and stayed on the show for about five seasons. Since the show ended, Owens has done a few minor roles on TV, none of them are really fruitful. Since the whirlwind, the actor has gone on several interviews including Good Morning America, stating that the shaming, “It hurts.” Some are wondering why an actor ghas to work a job like that in the first place?
When one breaks down Owen’s fiances, people have to remember that a big part of Owen’s money came from the residuals from “The Cosby Show”, a show that has cease to run on major networks because of star and creator Bill Cosby’s subsequent sex scandal and arrest. With that money gone, Owens will have to support himself with other means, factor in the fact that he has a family to support, it makes sense that Owens would seek out a job that pays well and has benefits, which turned out to be bagging groceries at Trader Joe’s. Numerous celebrities have reached out saying they support Owens and even Tyler Perry himself has offered Owens a role in one of his upcoming films. So despite the trouble it came with, bagging groceries helped Owens secure the bag.
A couple of weeks ago, Owens was photographed bagging groceries at Trader Joe’s. This photo eventually led to a backlash brought on by Fox News, who proceeded to make fun of the former actor. This scandal opened up questions about job shaming and why people thought it was such a big deal that Owens was working what’s considered to be a “menial job.’ “People want to judge him because he’s a black man working,” says Kennedy Dunning, a senior at Hillgrove High School. Owens, who is a graduate of Yale University (cum laude) landed the role of Elvin Tibideaux in 1985, and stayed on the show for about five seasons. Since the show ended, Owens has done a few minor roles on TV, none of them are really fruitful. Since the whirlwind, the actor has gone on several interviews including Good Morning America, stating that the shaming, “It hurts.” Some are wondering why an actor ghas to work a job like that in the first place?
When one breaks down Owen’s fiances, people have to remember that a big part of Owen’s money came from the residuals from “The Cosby Show”, a show that has cease to run on major networks because of star and creator Bill Cosby’s subsequent sex scandal and arrest. With that money gone, Owens will have to support himself with other means, factor in the fact that he has a family to support, it makes sense that Owens would seek out a job that pays well and has benefits, which turned out to be bagging groceries at Trader Joe’s. Numerous celebrities have reached out saying they support Owens and even Tyler Perry himself has offered Owens a role in one of his upcoming films. So despite the trouble it came with, bagging groceries helped Owens secure the bag.