Cosby Show Star Discusses Misconceptions About Actor Incomes
Geoffrey Owens reflects on the financial struggles of actors today
Geoffrey Owens, The Cosby Show, Hollywood, Actor Income, Streaming Residuals, Atlanta, USA
Atlanta: Geoffrey Owens, known for his role on The Cosby Show, has been in the spotlight again. Remember when he was spotted working at Trader Joe’s? That was back in 2018, and it really opened up a conversation about the struggles actors face.
He shared that even after getting more acting gigs, he still had to go back to the grocery store to make ends meet. It’s wild, right? He mentioned that his residual checks from past shows were never great, which is a real eye-opener for many.
Owens said, “Even today, I still struggle to make a living.” It’s hard to believe someone who was on a hit show has to deal with financial stress. People often think that past fame means a steady income, but that’s not always the case.
With streaming services changing the game, it’s tough to track how much money a show actually makes. A former agent pointed out that it’s all about subscriptions now, making it hard to know if a show is bringing in cash.
Other actors have shared similar stories. For instance, Jana Schmieding from Reservation Dogs revealed she got just 3 cents for unlimited streams of her show. Can you imagine? Even Mandy Moore said her checks for This Is Us were sometimes just a penny!
After the recent strikes, the Screen Actors Guild made some changes to help actors get better deals on streaming. They’re now looking at how many views a show gets in the first 90 days to determine bonuses. That’s a step in the right direction!
Residuals can vary a lot. Some actors rely on them to get by, like Glen Powell, who said he lived off his residuals while trying to make it big. But even big stars like Jim Carrey have had to rethink their finances. He recently came out of retirement for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 because he needed the money.
Sydney Sweeney, known for Euphoria, also opened up about the financial pressures she faces. She can’t afford to take breaks between jobs, which is surprising for someone in her position. She’s even taken on brand partnerships to help pay the bills.
All these stories highlight the reality of being an actor today. Whether it’s Geoffrey Owens, Jim Carrey, or Sydney Sweeney, they’re all navigating the tricky waters of Hollywood while trying to stay afloat financially.