3 days Ago
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.” 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.
.. Major Gig: Reality star Side Hustle: Good American —size-inclusive denim, activewear and bodysuits for women Major Gig: Grammy-Winning Rapper Side Hustle: Virginia Black Whiskey —premium Decadent American Bourbon Whiskey Major Gig: Actress Side Hustle: Boyfriend —lifestyle brand that produces perfumes, candles, pulse point oils and now room sprays Major Gig: Singer Side Hustle: Marc Anthony —men's clothing and accessory line available at Kohl's Major Gig: Model, television host and author Side Hustle: Cravings —kitchen and tabletop collection for Target 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.
Major Gig: Country pop singer-songwriter Side Hustle: Kittenish and JustFab —clothing and shoe lines for women 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." Major Gig: Rapper and singer Side Hustle: Yeezys —footware line with Adidas Major Gig: Country singer Side Hustle: Flag & Anthem —men's casual fashion line Major Gig: Queer Eye star Side Hustle: All Modern Furniture —modern furniture collection Major Gig: Radio personality, television host and producer Side Hustle: Ryan Seacrest Distinction —contemporary menswear lifestyle brand Major Gig: Black-ish actress Side Hustle: Pattern Beauty —hair-care brand for curly and coiled hair 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 Major Gig: Model Side Hustle: Kora Organics —organic skin care products collection Major Gig: Actress and YouTube personality Side Hustle: Beis Travel —travel gear and accessories Major Gig: Actress and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Side Hustle: Lisa Rinna Collection —women's clothing line with QVC Major Gig: Country singer Side Hustle: Calia —fitness apparel and accessories Major Gig: Supermodel Side Hustle: Tropic of C —Iconic and fashionable styles to wear on and off the beach Major Gig: Singer and actress Side Hustle: Haus Laboratories —cruelty-free cosmetics brand that encourages self-expression Major Gig: Singer and fashion designer Side Hustle: Victoria Beckham Beauty —clean, luxury beauty brand Major Gig: Singer and songwriter Side Hustle: Katy Perry Footwear —designer shoes that are bold, vibrant and unique Major Gig: Television host and former football player Side Hustle: JCP X Michael Strahan —casual and formal menswear collections Major Gig: Stranger Things actress Side Hustle: Florence by Mills —clean skincare and makeup brand for all skin types Major Gig: Actress and model Side Hustle: Eva Mendes New York & Company —clothing collection for women Major Gig: Actress Side Hustle: Sofia Jeans —clothing line for women with Walmart Major Gig: Actress and singer Side Hustle: Jennifer Lopez —clothing line for women with Kohls Major Gig: Vanderpump Rules star Side Hustle: Give Them LaLa Beauty —cruelty-free creative beauty brand Major Gig: Vanderpump Rules star Side Hustle: Vanderpump Pets and LVP Sangria —luxury accessories and grooming products for pets and a sangria collection Major Gig: Basketball player Side Hustle: Jordan —shoes, apparel and accessories by Nike.
