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Cosby Show Alum Geoffrey Owens Details Financial Struggles After Leaving Trader Joe's Job
Geoffrey Owens' response to a star's generous offering is raising eyebrows.
After he admitted to experiencing financial hardships back in 2018, the Cosby Show alum—who played Elvin Tibideaux on the classic sitcom—received a check for $25,000 from Nicki Minaj to help him get back on track. But Geoffrey recently admitted that he didn't keep her "handout" for himself, instead donating the money to charity.
"It was a very generous, lovely handout,” Geoffrey said during a Dec. 12 appearance on V-103 Atlanta's Big Tigger Morning Show. “But I wasn’t comfortable with that.”
For the 63-year-old—who confessed to struggling to "make ends meet" after he was spotted working at a Trader Joe's in 2018—taking Nicki's money without earning it through a job didn't feel right at the time.
"If she had paid me $25,000 to do something," Geoffrey explained, "I would have said, 'Thank you for the work, I accept.'"
Clarifying that he didn't find her gesture "inappropriate" and insisting his rejection didn't mean he was "not grateful," the Hide and Seek actor went on to provide some insight into why he chose to give the money to a charity.
"I felt like, well, yeah, I'm in need to a certain amount extent," he continued, "but there are other people that are much more in need of this money than I am."
And fans had mixed emotions about Geoffrey's choice, with some arguing he let his pride get in the way of a good opportunity.
“I hope no one gives Geoffrey Owens another dime," one user wrote on X. "Too prideful to accept her money, but takes pride in talking about how he’s still struggling financially. Foolish damn pride.”
Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images
Others believed that the actor's decision was the mark of good character. As one X user wrote, "Man makes the money money doesn’t make the man. If you don’t/havent learn(ed) the value of hard work you’re in for a tough time in this life when money doesn’t fulfill you. Earning on your own feels better than getting a handout and let’s be real $25k isn’t a lot anyway."
Another added, "He seems like an honest and humble hard working man that really wants to actually WORK for his money. That's an admiral trait."
For more Hollywood stars who have picked up offscreen side hustles throughout their careers, read on...
Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock
Khloe Kardashian
Major Gig: Reality star
Side Hustle: Good American—size-inclusive denim, activewear and bodysuits for women
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Drake
Major Gig: Grammy-Winning Rapper
Side Hustle: Virginia Black Whiskey—premium Decadent American Bourbon Whiskey
Courtesy of Boyfriend Perfume
Kate Walsh
Major Gig: Actress
Side Hustle: Boyfriend—lifestyle brand that produces perfumes, candles, pulse point oils and now room sprays
Rodrigo Varela/WireImage
Marc Anthony
Major Gig: Singer
Side Hustle: Marc Anthony—men's clothing and accessory line available at Kohl's
Taylor Hill/WireImage
Chrissy Teigen
Major Gig: Model, television host and author
Side Hustle: Cravings—kitchen and tabletop collection for Target
Courtesy of Made Here
Scott Eastwood
Major Gig: Actor
Side Hustle: Made Here—a clothing line with entrepreneur Dane Chapin that reflects the strength, skill, experience and innovation of the American people.
Thomas Concordia/Getty Images for Style360
Jessie James Decker
Major Gig: Country pop singer-songwriter
Side Hustle: Kittenish and JustFab—clothing and shoe lines for women
Getty Images for Sugar Factory American Brasserie
Scott Disick
Major Gig: Reality star
Side Hustle: Talentless—a fashion line that pays homage to the new wave of creators, innovators and influencers who've made a name for themselves by going against the conventions of what it means to be "talented."
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Kanye West
Major Gig: Rapper and singer
Side Hustle: Yeezys—footware line with Adidas
Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock
Dierks Bentley
Major Gig: Country singer
Side Hustle: Flag & Anthem—men's casual fashion line
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Bobby Berk
Major Gig: Queer Eye star
Side Hustle: All Modern Furniture—modern furniture collection
imageSPACE/Shutterstock
Ryan Seacrest
Major Gig: Radio personality, television host and producer
Side Hustle: Ryan Seacrest Distinction—contemporary menswear lifestyle brand
Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Shutterstock
Tracee Ellis Ross
Major Gig: Black-ish actress
Side Hustle: Pattern Beauty—hair-care brand for curly and coiled hair
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Ellen DeGeneres
Major Gig: Television host
Side Hustle: ED By Ellen and EV1—home, fashion, pet and baby collections inspired by the talk-show host's style
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Miranda Kerr
Major Gig: Model
Side Hustle: Kora Organics—organic skin care products collection
Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock
Shay Mitchell
Major Gig: Actress and YouTube personality
Side Hustle: Beis Travel—travel gear and accessories
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Lisa Rinna
Major Gig: Actress and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star
Side Hustle: Lisa Rinna Collection—women's clothing line with QVC
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMT
Carrie Underwood
Major Gig: Country singer
Side Hustle: Calia—fitness apparel and accessories
Courtesy of Tropic of C
Candice Swanepoel
Major Gig: Supermodel
Side Hustle: Tropic of C—Iconic and fashionable styles to wear on and off the beach
Steve Granitz/WireImage
Lady Gaga
Major Gig: Singer and actress
Side Hustle: Haus Laboratories—cruelty-free cosmetics brand that encourages self-expression
David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
Victoria Beckham
Major Gig: Singer and fashion designer
Side Hustle: Victoria Beckham Beauty—clean, luxury beauty brand
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Baby2Baby
Katy Perry
Major Gig: Singer and songwriter
Side Hustle: Katy Perry Footwear—designer shoes that are bold, vibrant and unique
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Michael Strahan
Major Gig: Television host and former football player
Side Hustle: JCP X Michael Strahan—casual and formal menswear collections
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Millie Bobby Brown
Major Gig: Stranger Things actress
Side Hustle: Florence by Mills—clean skincare and makeup brand for all skin types
Steve Granitz/Getty Images
Eva Mendes
Major Gig: Actress and model
Side Hustle: Eva Mendes New York & Company—clothing collection for women
David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
Sofia Vergara
Major Gig: Actress
Side Hustle: Sofia Jeans—clothing line for women with Walmart
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Jennifer Lopez
Major Gig: Actress and singer
Side Hustle: Jennifer Lopez—clothing line for women with Kohls
Mara Soldinger, E! News
Lala Kent
Major Gig: Vanderpump Rules star
Side Hustle: Give Them LaLa Beauty—cruelty-free creative beauty brand
Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic
Lisa Vanderpump
Major Gig: Vanderpump Rules star
Side Hustle: Vanderpump Pets and LVP Sangria—luxury accessories and grooming products for pets and a sangria collection
Alexander Tamargo/WireImage
Michael Jordan
Major Gig: Basketball player
Side Hustle: Jordan—shoes, apparel and accessories by Nike
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