2 Big Names Come Through for 'Shamed' Cosby Show Actor

Geoffrey Owens reportedly to act in 10 episodes of Tyler Perry show; Nicki Minaj wants to donate $25K
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 7, 2018 11:06 AM CDT
Report: Cosby Show Actor Nabs Role on Tyler Perry Show
This image released by ABC shows co-host Robin Roberts, left, with "The Cosby Show" actor Geoffrey Owens during an interview on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday in New York.   (Paula Lobo/ABC via AP)

The swelling tide of well wishes for the Cosby Show actor who was job-shamed by multiple media outlets may have just turned into something more lucrative. Sources tell TMZ that Geoffrey Owens has accepted a job offer by filmmaker and producer Tyler Perry, who tweeted earlier this week that the 57-year-old actor should "join us" on OWN's The Haves and the Have Nots, which Perry writes for and directs. TMZ reports that Owens is said to be slotted into a recurring role and will appear on 10 episodes, and that he's set to fly to Atlanta next week to begin filming. Owens had previously spoken on Perry's offer, though he simply called it a "generous" one and didn't indicate whether he'd take it, per People. In fact, Owens tells the Hollywood Reporter he's considering "a whole handful" of TV offers.

"It's been a real generosity of spirit and a generosity of action," he says. Owens, who has since spoken on the "honor of the working person and the dignity of work," says his first concern when the photo of him broke was his 19-year-old son, People notes. He says he texted his son, who's away at school, to warn him and to apologize for the embarrassment—but his son texted right back to say how proud he was of Owens. "I cried, I just broke down," Owens says. "It was beautiful." One other person is stepping up to do right by Owens: Nicki Minaj, who told Entertainment Tonight she wants to donate $25,000 to the actor. "Some people are on the internet and seeking attention, and he's just the antithesis of that," she says. She notes she's having her rep reach out to Owens' people so he "doesn't take it the wrong way." (The woman who took the Owens photo is now speaking.)

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