Geoffrey Owens Reveals Ongoing Challenges in ‘Making a Living’ as an Actor

Geoffrey Owens is sharing an update with his fans about his journey as a working actor.

In 2018, Owens gained widespread attention after being spotted working at Trader Joe’s, following his renowned role on “The Cosby Show.” Since then, he has landed various acting roles and received support from several celebrities, yet he admits he continues to face challenges in making a living as an actor.

“Even now, as we’re speaking, I still find it difficult to earn a living. Every day, I struggle to make ends meet,” he mentioned during a recent guest appearance on V-103 Atlanta’s “Big Tigger Morning Show.”

“People often can’t comprehend that because they see me in films like ‘Mr. Santa’ or in shows like ‘Poppa’s House’ on CBS,” he added. “With all the TV appearances I’ve made, folks presume that I must be earning a lot of money. They wonder, ‘What’s the issue? Why would you have financial difficulties?’ They don’t grasp the intricacies of how my industry functions.”

It’s uncertain how much revenue Owens generates from acting. According to 2023 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly pay for actors is $41, with a median hourly wage of $20.

“People hold a misleading view of what an average ‘middle-class actor’ makes and their ability to sustain a living in the field,” he stated.

During the interview, Owens disclosed that he stopped working at Trader Joe’s shortly after the photos of him were published due to privacy issues. He mentioned that as the story gained momentum, he experienced a level of fame he had never encountered before.

“For two weeks or so, I was among the most recognized people in the world,” he recalled. “… Everywhere I went, people knew who I was.”

Thanks to this narrative, Owens began receiving new opportunities and encouragement from various celebrities, including Tyler Perry, who offered him a role in his show “The Haves and the Have Nots.” Owens also shared that Nicki Minaj gifted him $25,000, but he ultimately donated that sum because “it felt like the right thing to do at the time.”

Owens went on to portray Conley in “The Haves and the Have Nots” and made appearances in shows like “Power Book II: Ghost” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

In a 2018 essay for TODAY, Owens expressed his gratitude for how everything unfolded.

“At no point in this entire saga did I hold any resentment or negative feelings toward the woman who took my photo at Trader Joe’s,” he remarked. “I still don’t. We’re on good terms. I completely forgive her. Everyone makes mistakes, and her mistake resulted in a lot of positive outcomes. Ultimately, I’m thankful that it happened, even though it was in an unusual way. I’m grateful to be where I am today.