Nationwide — Actor Geoffrey Owens, identified for The Cosby Present, just lately opened up concerning the ongoing challenges he faces as a working actor, regardless of receiving assist and touchdown new roles. Owens gained media consideration in 2018 after photographs of him working at Dealer Joe’s went viral.
In a latest interview on V-103 Atlanta’s Massive Tigger Morning Present, Owens shared, “Even at the moment, proper now, as we communicate, I nonetheless battle to make a residing. I battle each day to make my ends meet.”
Regardless of being seen in standard exhibits like CBS’s Poppa’s Home and movies like Mr. Santa, Owens mentioned that folks usually misunderstand how actors earn a residing.
“Folks have a misunderstanding of what the common what I name ‘middle-class actor’ makes and their skill to make a residing within the business,” he mentioned.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stories the common hourly wage for actors is $41, with a median of $20, in line with Right this moment.
After his Dealer Joe’s photographs went viral, Owens needed to give up the job resulting from privateness considerations. He recalled, “For 2 weeks or extra, I used to be like one of the well-known folks on the planet. In every single place I went, folks acknowledged me.”
This newfound fame led to new alternatives, together with a job in Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots and appearances in exhibits like Energy E-book II: Ghost and It’s At all times Sunny in Philadelphia. Owens additionally acquired assist from celebrities, together with a $25,000 present from Nicki Minaj, which he selected to donate on the time.
Regardless of these alternatives, Owens emphasised the persevering with problem of sustaining a profession in appearing. He stays grateful for the assist and alternatives which have come his approach.
