In life, we all face moments that test our resilience—those seasons when pride must be set aside, and humility becomes a daily choice. Some carry their burdens with bitterness. Others, like actor Geoffrey Owens, choose a path of quiet dignity and grace.
Best known for playing Elvin Tibideaux on the beloved 1980s sitcom The Cosby Show, Owens found himself in an unexpected spotlight in 2018. A candid photo of him working at a Trader Joe’s in Clifton, New Jersey, made the rounds online, snapped by a passing couple who recognized him. But what was meant to embarrass became something far more powerful—a moment that revealed the character of a man.
Speaking recently on Atlanta’s V-103 radio, Owens reflected on the experience. “For two weeks or more I was, like, one of the most famous people in the world,” he said, looking back on the media whirlwind that followed the viral photo.
While many might have buckled under the scrutiny or lashed out in frustration, Owens took the high road. He admitted to being “devastated for an hour or two,” but the wave of public support that followed helped put things in perspective. In a later interview with CNN, he made clear he didn’t view honest work as shameful. Quite the opposite—he was simply doing what he needed to do to provide for himself and his family.
The Cosby Show was a television juggernaut in the 1980s, anchoring NBC’s Thursday night lineup during what many regard as a golden age of prime-time programming. Owens appeared in 128 episodes between 1985 and 1992. So it’s understandable that some were surprised to see a once-familiar face bagging groceries. But Owens never saw his job at Trader Joe’s as beneath him. It was, simply, work.
Even after the initial burst of media attention, Owens didn’t turn away from the job. “I’ve gone back there since all of this happened, and basically I asked for hours to work there again,” he explained. Like many working actors, consistent roles aren’t always guaranteed—and the drying up of Cosby Show residuals after the scandal surrounding Bill Cosby only added to the financial strain.
In 2014, following the avalanche of sexual assault allegations against Cosby, many networks and streaming services removed The Cosby Show from syndication. Cosby would go on to serve nearly three years in prison before his conviction was overturned. But the damage to the show’s legacy—and its cast’s earnings—was done.
Despite the personal and professional losses, Owens has remained grounded. His values have shone through in countless small acts, including a moment when rapper Nicki Minaj gifted him $25,000 after hearing of his story. Owens turned around and gave the money to charity. “If she had paid me $25,000 to do something,” he said, “I would have said, ‘Thank you for the work.’”
Now, Owens has something to promote that brings joy instead of controversy—a new holiday film, Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganga. In it, he plays the lead role in what he described as a “family-embracing” movie. With a 9.1/10 rating on IMDb, it appears to be a heartfelt effort worth watching, even months after the holiday season has passed.
While Owens didn’t speak openly about his faith during the radio interview, his actions have long reflected a deeper grace. In 2018, he even read Shakespeare at St. Luke’s Church in Montclair, New Jersey.
Whatever his spiritual life may be, Geoffrey Owens offers a quiet example of Christian values in action: perseverance, humility, and kindness. He did not rail against life’s unfairness. He met it head-on, with strength and character. May God continue to bless him and his journey.