Geoffery Owens was thrust into the spotlight when a New Jersey woman revealed that the former "The Cosby Show" actor was working at a local Trader Joe's grocery store. Owens soon became the topic of an international debate regarding job-shaming, and the lesser discussed truths about working in the entertainment industry.
After a photo of Owens bagging groceries at Trader Joe's went viral, he became subject to a great deal of criticism. The actor chose to speak openly about his experiences. "There's no job that is better than another. They might pay better, have better benefits, but actually, it's not better," he said during an appearance on Good Morning America. Owens was subsequently offered work by Tyler Perry who expressed his support of the actor and his efforts early on. Perry recalled a period in his life where he was, "sleeping in [his] car, struggling, wondering how [he] was going to pay the bills," he told Good Morning America. "To get this place, just to have seen both sides of this, has been really incredible. And that's why I feel like ... I'm the guy for the underdog," he continued.
Tyler Perry stayed true to his word and crafted a character for Owens on his OWN network television show, The Haves and the Have Nots. Owen's describes the opportunity as "incredible." "Maybe this is the cause that's actually going to bridge the divide in our country," he shares. "Maybe this is it. This is the way that we come together."
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