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Celebs Defend Former 'Cosby Show' Star After Pic of Him Working at Trader Joe's Goes Viral

By Amanda Thomason September 3, 2018 at 11:39am

When the going gets tough, the tough take what jobs they can find so they can provide for themselves. Work ethic is a wonderful thing, and many people don’t have it.

Those who do know that you don’t always get to work the job you want, but even having work in the first place is a blessing.

There are certainly some jobs that rank as more “prestigious” and get higher pay and acclaim, but if you’ve ever had an issue with your toilet you know how critical the job of a plumber is.

Sometimes when there’s a sharp “fall” from a high-paying job to a low-paying one, observers are apt to jeer. Frankly, that’s just mean-spirited and ridiculous.

Recently, a photo of Geoffrey Ownes, a star on “The Cosby Show” was photographed working at a Trader Joe’s. Some not only chidingly pointed this out, but made jabs about his appearance, too.

Startled at the cruelty of some people, actors have been reaching out to support him by sharing their own stories about jobs that might seem beneath them. As Terry Crews pointed out, “Good honest work is nothing to be ashamed of.”

With that, the hashtag #actorswithdayjobs has taken Twitter by storm, with dozens lining up to speak to the reality of working as an actor or an actress.

Even big names don’t always have a gig on the back burner, but life never stops: There are always bills to pay and rent to consider no matter who you are or how many people know your name.

I swept floors AFTER the @NFL. If need be, I’d do it again. Good honest work is nothing to be ashamed of. https://t.co/8mseCpaIqz

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) September 2, 2018

In between One Tree Hill and Cougar Town I went back to work as a cocktail waitress. During the first season of Crazy Ex I sold Beauty Counter (don’t at me, I like MLMs). Work is work, no one job is better than another. https://t.co/BeElvFzYTI

— Audrey Wauchope (@audreyalison) September 1, 2018

In 2008, I left a job at KTTV voluntarily. Then the economy crashed & I couldn’t find steady work. I struggled. At one point I called my agent & told her I was going to apply at Target. I wasn’t ashamed. I needed to work. I had bills. And an honest days work is just that, honest.

— Nischelle Turner (@nischelleturner) September 1, 2018

Again, why is this news? When I worked on “Thirtysomething” I was also summarizing depositions to pay my rent. Why are you trying to humiliate this honorable, hardworking actor? Shame on you! #geoffreyowens – many great blessings are coming your way! https://t.co/8tgvW3iixr

— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) September 2, 2018

With all the attention that Owens is getting now, he might even receive more job offers. That would be the best sort of payback for those who wanted to shame him.

#ActorsWithDayJobs #GeofferyOwens Being a actor in London I’ve worked all sorts of jobs to pay the bills, cleaner, front of house staff in theatres, supervisor, waiter, bartender. You got to hustle in this career. There’s no shame in paying the bills till the next gig comes. ?? https://t.co/IGY18kZRkT

— Jessen Aroonachellum (@JessTrouper) September 3, 2018

??‍♀️Got a job as a hostess when I left General Hospital. Many didn’t understand why I’d leave #GH without another acting gig waiting for me. (If only we could all be so lucky). This is what dedication to your artistic happiness actually looks like. #actorswithdayjobs https://t.co/t1nGRFf9Zz

— julie berman (@itsjulieberman) September 3, 2018

Hopefully people will be a little more charitable when viewing cases like these, and realize that someone who’s working hard to support themselves and not getting into other people’s business is more upstanding than someone who likes to point and laugh.

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