“The Cosby Show” Actor Geoffrey Owens Admits, “I Struggle Every Day to Make My Ends Meet” Since Viral 2018 Trader Joe’s Photo and Nicki Minaj Donation [Video]

“The Cosby Show” actor Geoffrey Owens has offered a candid update on his personal life since being thrust back into the spotlight in 2018 following a viral photo that showed him working at Trader Joe’s.

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Despite the public believing the photo would increase his bookings in the industry, Owens recently revealed that he still has financial challenges.

“I struggle every day to make my ends meet,” Owens admitted during an interview on the “Big Tigger Morning Show.” “People can’t get their heads around that because they see me in movies…People have the impression, ‘Well, you’re making a lot of money, what’s the problem? Why would you have financial troubles?’ They don’t understand the specifics of how my industry works.”

While the 2018 photo was a turning point in Owens’ life, the actor said he had to take a leave from his Trader Joe’s job due to privacy concerns.

Even though Owens experienced some challenges, the moment wasn’t all bad. At the time, he received major support and offers from industry heavy-hitters like Tyler Perry, who invited him to join the cast of “The Haves and Have Nots” and Nicki Minaj, who donated $25,000 to the actor. However, Owens chose to give the money to the Actor’s Fund in honor of the late Earle Hyman, who played Cliff Huxtable’s father on “The Cosby Show.”

“At the time, it seemed like the right thing to do,” Owens continued. “If Nicki Minaj had hired me for a project and paid me $25,000, I would have thanked her for the work. But this felt different.”

Nonetheless, Owens has since returned to his Trader Joe’s job and also stated that he is actually better off now than he was when he was participating in the show and explained the misconception surrounding actor pay.