Mike Rowe tipped his hat to former “Cosby Show” actor Geoffrey Owens after critics tried to shame him for working at Trader Joe’s.
The “Dirty Jobs” star gave Owens a shout out on Facebook, telling him that “you more than qualify” as a person of character after how he handled the attack.
Owens, who played Bill Cosby’s son-in-law Elvin on “The Cosby Show,” was spotted at the New Jersey grocery store where a photo of him at work went viral, unleashing many comments about how far the 57-year-old actor had fallen from fame.
But, as Owens explained on “Good Morning America” Tuesday to anchor Robin Roberts, people need a re-evaluation of the idea that some jobs are better than others.
“This business of my being this ‘Cosby’ guy who got shamed for working at Trader Joe’s, that’s going to pass. … But I hope what doesn’t pass is this idea … this rethinking about what it means to work, the honor of the working person and the dignity of work,” he said Tuesday. “And, I hope that this period that we’re in now, where we have a heightened sensitivity about that and a re-evaluation of what it means to work, and a re-evaluation of the idea that some jobs are better than others, because that’s actually not true.
“There is no job that’s better than another job,” he continued. “It might pay better, it might have better benefits, it might look better on a resume and on paper, but actually it’s not better. Every job is worthwhile and valuable, and if we have a kind of a rethinking about that because of what’s happened to me, that would be great,” he added.
Owens was praised by many who were impressed with this attitude and handling of the situation.
Just so simple and eloquent and on point. Thank you, sir. #GeoffreyOwens https://t.co/QT24oGIMQU
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) September 4, 2018
Rowe reached out to the actor after he “saw the #drama over the weekend.”
Dear #GeoffOwens , Mike Rowe here, Dirty Jobs, etc. Saw the #drama over the weekend. Read the articles. Watched the interviews. Not sure if you know anything about my foundation, but I run a #workethic scholarship program called @mikeroweWORKS. #read more https://t.co/ODgTuHXPNp pic.twitter.com/8JKb9coZGp
— The Real Mike Rowe (@mikeroweworks) September 4, 2018
“Saw the drama over the weekend. Read the articles. Watched the interviews. Fascinating,” Rowe said, explaining his work ethic scholarship program and asking Owens to join in.
“Thanks for what you’ve done, and for what you’re doing. And good luck with whatever comes next,” Rowe wrote.
Owens urged fans not to feel sorry for him even though he admitted he took on the Trader Joe’s job to make ends meet in between acting jobs.
“But no one should feel sorry for me, either from a positive or a negative perspective. I’ve had a great life, I’ve had a great career, and I’ve had a career that most actors would die for,” he told Roberts.
In fact, it wasn’t long before the job offers appeared with Tyler Perry reaching out to Owens.
#GeoffreyOwens I’m about to start shootings OWN’s number one drama next week! Come join us!!! I have so much respect for people who hustle between gigs. The measure of a true artist.
— Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) September 4, 2018
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable getting acting jobs from this event,” Owens told Roberts. “I wouldn’t mind getting auditions, I don’t mind if people call me in to try out for things, due to what’s happened, but I actually wouldn’t feel comfortable (with) someone giving me a job because this happened. I want to get a job because I’m the right person for that job.”
As the actor has been inundated with a show of support after the attempt to job-shame him, so too has Mike Rowe found an outpouring of praise for reaching out.
Good Job Mike! Still plugging away for the American worker.
— Elizabeth Lauterhahn (@eakwhite) September 4, 2018
Yet another reason why I ❤❤❤ Mike Rowe?
— Stephanie Walden (@bluejeane) September 4, 2018
Gah. Mike Rowe you are the best there is. ??
— Mackenzie Baily (@macbaily) September 4, 2018
Thanks for weighing in on #GeoffreyOwens Mike. This man is the epitome of what it means to be a hard worker.
A man with a @Yale degree who 100% believes any job that pays you is worth doing.
Truly impressive interview with him on @GMA.— John Basham (@JohnBasham) September 4, 2018
Oh man, the confluence of great people in that post bodes well for humanity.
— Joseph Ryan (@jmotivator) September 4, 2018
Good man @mikeroweworks U should ask him to speak at a foundation event
— Elizabeth Sollecito (@ElizabethSolle2) September 4, 2018
Wow… you are just all kinds of awesome, @mikeroweworks <3 God bless you.
— KABren (@KA_Bren) September 4, 2018
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
[email protected]
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- Newsom’s wife’s uber-woke films forced on school children, complete with promotional cameos of hubby - January 20, 2023
- DOJ ramps up a ‘mere review’ to full-fledged investigation after latest Biden doc discovery - January 12, 2023
- Texas Rep. Chip Roy calls on Republican House to ‘stop funding’ DHS over botched handling of the border - January 10, 2023
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
