Geoffrey Owens

{{short description|American actor}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox person | name = Geoffrey Owens | image = | imagesize = | birth_name = Geoffrey Louis Owens | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|3|18|df=y}} | birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S. | alma_mater = Yale University | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1985–present | spouse = {{marriage|Josette Owens|1995}} | children = 2 | parents = Major Owens<br>Ethel Werfel | website = {{URL|geoffreyowens.com}} }}

'''Geoffrey Louis Owens''' (born March 18, 1961) is an American actor known for his role as Elvin Tibideaux on ''The Cosby Show'' (1985–1992). He is the son of the United States Congressman Major Owens.

==Early life and education== Owens was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Ethel (née Werfel), a music and literature teacher, and Major Owens, a librarian who later went on to serve in the New York State Senate and the United States House of Representatives.<ref name="Baker1987">{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Kathryn |title=For newest 'Cosby' actor, love was in the script |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23349084/the_akron_beacon_journal/ |access-date=September 1, 2018 |work=Akron Beacon Journal |date=October 22, 1987 |page=C6 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bernstein |first1=Adam |title=Major R. Owens, former congressman, dies at 77 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/major-r-owens-former-congressman-dies-at-77/2013/10/22/692d7c00-3b31-11e3-b6a9-da62c264f40e_story.html |access-date=September 1, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> He has two brothers and two half-siblings from his father's second marriage.<ref name="Baker1987"/> Owens attended the High School of Performing Arts for a year and graduated ''cum laude'' from Yale University in 1983.<ref name="Filichia2010">{{cite news |last1=Filichia |first1=Peter |title='Opus' preview: 'Cosby Show' veteran to perform in Red Bank |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/arts/index.ssf/2010/10/opus_preview_cosby_show_vetera.html |access-date=September 1, 2018 |work=The Star-Ledger |date=October 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Dana |title=Former Cosby Show star Geoffrey Owens to present Masterclasses at Shorter |url=http://www.shorter.edu/former-cosby-show-star-geoffrey-owens-to-present-masterclasses-at-shorter-university/ |access-date=September 1, 2018 |publisher=Shorter University |date=October 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902013528/http://www.shorter.edu/former-cosby-show-star-geoffrey-owens-to-present-masterclasses-at-shorter-university/ |archive-date=September 2, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Career== One of Owens's earliest roles was in an Arcata High School theater performance where he played the title role in a performance of ''Peter Pan''. This initial outing was what galvanized him to become an actor later in life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/geoffrey-owens-talks-about-growing-up-cosby-and-lif-206515|title=Geoffrey Owens Talks About Growing Up, The Cosby Show, and Life Now|website=The A.V. Club |access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410192942/https://www.avclub.com/article/geoffrey-owens-talks-about-growing-up-cosby-and-lif-206515|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1985, Owens made his television debut on the second season of the NBC sitcom ''The Cosby Show'' as Sondra Huxtable's boyfriend Elvin Tibideaux. Tibideaux married Sondra and became a regular character in 1987 and appeared on the series until it ended in 1992.<ref name="Baker1987"/><ref>{{cite news |title=More 'Cosby' regulars |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23349647/the_republic/ |access-date=September 1, 2018 |work=The Republic |date=August 18, 1987 |page=A2 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref> In 1994, he made his film debut as Lou in Ron Howard's film ''The Paper''.

Starting in 2007, Owens appeared as himself on the FX sitcom ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia''. In the season 3 episode "The Gang Gets Invincible" he appears at the Philadelphia Eagles' public tryouts as an actor pretending to be Donovan McNabb doing a plug for McDonald's but the gang recognize him as "that guy from ''The Cosby Show''" who played "Sondra's husband ... {{sic|Al|vin}}". In the season 7 episode "Frank's Pretty Woman" he plays the same character, this time pretending to be Tiger Woods.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yoshida |first1=Emily |title=It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: "Frank's Pretty Woman" |url=https://www.avclub.com/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-frank-s-pretty-woman-1798169603 |access-date=September 1, 2018 |work=The A.V. Club |date=September 15, 2011}}</ref> Dee, however, recognizes him and calls him out as the guy who pretended to be McNabb at the Eagles' tryouts. He then admits he is not Tiger Woods but then claims to be actor Don Cheadle. In the second episode of Season 15, "The Gang Makes Lethal Weapon 7", he appears as the same character, but is given the role to play as Roger Murtaugh in the gang’s Lethal Weapon 7 movie. That same year, he guest-starred as Eddie's father in the ''That's So Raven'' episode "The Way We Were", and appeared on the season premiere of NBC's ''Las Vegas''.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

In 2009, he appeared alongside Paul Campbell, Andy Griffith, Doris Roberts, Liz Sheridan, Marla Sokoloff and Juliette Jeffers in the romantic comedy ''Play The Game''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cast Bios |url=http://www.playthegamemovie.com/cast_bios.html |website=Play the Game |access-date=September 1, 2018}}</ref> In 2010, he appeared on ABC Family's ''The Secret Life of the American Teenager'' as a court-appointed mediator. He also appeared on the ABC show ''FlashForward'' in the episode "The Garden of Forking Paths", playing a researcher.<ref name="TVGuide">{{cite web |title=Geoffrey Owens |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/geoffrey-owens/credits/189972/ |website=TV Guide |access-date=September 1, 2018}}</ref>

In 2011, Owens portrayed the role of Casca at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in its Free-For-All production of ''Julius Caesar''.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} In 2015, he acted in an episode of the NBC drama series ''The Slap''.<ref name=HP>{{cite web|website=HuffPost|title='Cosby' Actor Geoffrey Owens Donates $25,000 From Nicki Minaj To Charity|author=Delbyck, Cole|date=September 26, 2016|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cosby-actor-geoffrey-owens-donates-25000-from-nicki-minaj-to-charity_n_5bab91c8e4b082030e770b33}}</ref> In 2017, he portrayed an assistant dean on the FOX drama series ''Lucifer'', in an episode entitled "Deceptive Little Parasite".<ref>{{cite news |title=Scoop: LUCIFER on FOX - Monday, May 8, 2017 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Scoop-LUCIFER-on-FOX-Monday-May-8-2017-20170508 |access-date=September 1, 2018 |publisher=BroadwayWorld.com |date=May 8, 2017}}</ref>

In 2018, he appeared as a lawyer on season 6 episode 1 of ''Elementary''. That same year, photos of Owens working in a Trader Joe's were published by ''The Daily Mail'', which many characterized as "job shaming."<ref name="Germain">{{cite web |last1=Germain |first1=Tabie |title=Geoffrey Owens on Life After Trader Joe's Spotting: 'I Still Struggle to Make Ends Meet' |url=https://www.bet.com/article/ma0nbw/geoffrey-owens-still-faces-financial-struggles-trader-joes-2018 |publisher=BET |date=December 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Stars defend "Cosby Show" actor from "job-shaming" after photos of him bagging groceries go viral|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cosby-show-actor-geoffrey-owens-defended-after-photos-of-him-bagging-groceries-go-viral/|date=September 3, 2018|publisher=CBS News|first=Tony|last=Dekoupil}}</ref> Owens agreed with the "job shaming" characterization, eventually quitting due to the unwanted attention.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2018/09/04/cosby-actor-thankful-for-support-about-grocery-store-job/LfzfR95YcGRza3A3HQYXrO/story.html|title='Cosby' actor thankful for support about grocery store job - The Boston Globe|last=Associated Press|work=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=September 4, 2018}}</ref> The story led producer Tyler Perry to offer Owens a ten-episode role in ''The Haves and the Have Nots''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tyler-perry-just-offered-former-cosby-show-star-geoffrey-owens-a-job/|title=Tyler Perry just offered former "Cosby Show" star Geoffrey Owens a job|work=CBS News|date=September 4, 2018|first= Christina| last=Capatides}}</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45447257 Geoffrey Owens: 'Job-shamed' Cosby Show star lands TV role] BBC News. September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.</ref> Owens also booked a guest-starring role on ''NCIS: New Orleans'' and supporting roles in the films ''Fatale'' (2020) and ''Hide and Seek'' (2021).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/geoffrey-owens-books-ncis-new-orleans-guest-role-1142342|title=Geoffrey Owens Books 'NCIS: New Orleans' Guest Role|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 11, 2018 |access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/geoffrey-owens-join-michael-ealy-fatale-1145810|title=Geoffrey Owens to Join Michael Ealy in Noir Thriller 'Fatale' (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 20, 2018 |access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://deadline.com/2018/12/geoffrey-owens-cosby-show-hide-seek-horror-korea-1202515850/ ‘Hide And Seek’: Former ‘Cosby Show’ Star Geoffrey Owens Joins CJ Entertainment Horror Remake]</ref> In 2024, Owens revealed ongoing career and financial challenges.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zee |first=Michaela |date=2024-12-27 |title='The Cosby Show' Actor Geoffrey Owens Says He Still Struggles 'Every Day to Make My Ends Meet' After Quitting Trader Joe's Job |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/geoffrey-owens-struggles-financially-quitting-trader-joes-job-cosby-show-1236260813/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cross |first=Greta |title='The Cosby Show' actor Geoffrey Owens 'struggling' to make living as 'middle-class actor' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/2024/12/27/geoffrey-owens-cosby-show-actor/77264703007/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2019, he starred in the film ''Impossible Monsters'', where he played a police detective. "I’m usually cast as dads, lawyers, doctors, teachers, and so to play a detective it was really fun," he said.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyactor.com/interview/geoffrey-owens-impossible-monsters/|title=Interview: Geoffrey Owens on Auditions, the Trader Joe's Aftermath and His New Film, 'Impossible Monsters'|website=Daily Actor|date=May 22, 2020 |access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> In 2020, he played a supporting role in ''Power Book II: Ghost''. In 2025, Owens played the role of Daryl in the Netflix holiday movie ''A Merry Little Ex-Mas''.

=== Teaching === Owens is the founder and artistic director of The Brooklyn Shakespeare Company. He has taught acting and Shakespeare at Columbia University, Yale, Stella Adler Studio of Acting, the Adult School of Montclair and Pace University. In addition to developing his own private Shakespeare workshop, he has been a guest teacher at universities, theaters, studios, and middle and high schools in the New York metropolitan area. He has also served as a judge for the National Shakespeare Competition semi-finals at Lincoln Center for at least 25 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geoffreyowens.com/|title=Actor/Director/Teacher Geoffrey Owens|website=Actor/Director/Teacher Geoffrey Owens|language=en|access-date=September 5, 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life== In 1995, Owens married his wife, Josette. Together they have one son.<ref name="Filichia2010"/>

==Filmography==

===Film=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 1994 | ''The Paper'' | Lou | |- | 2009 | ''Play the Game'' | Rob Marcus | |- | 2011 | ''Wilde Salomé'' | Tigellinus | |- | 2014 | ''Romeo and Juliet'' | Prince Escalus | |- | 2016 | ''Youth in Oregon'' | Dr. Roma | |- |2019 | ''Impossible Monsters'' | Jacobs | |- |2020 | ''Fatale'' | Bill Cranepool | |- | 2021 | ''Hide and Seek'' | Lyle | |- |rowspan=2| 2022 | ''Somewhere in Queens'' | Scotty | |- | ''Susie Searches'' | President Andrews | |- | 2023 | ''Ezra'' | Robert Segal | |- |rowspan=2| 2025 | ''Nonnas'' | Phil | |- | ''A Merry Little Ex-Mas'' | Daryl | |- |}

===Television=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 1985–92 | ''The Cosby Show'' | Elvin Tibideaux | Recurring Cast: Season 2-3, Main Cast: Season 4-8 |- | 1990 | ''ABC Afterschool Special'' | Mr. Singer | Episode: "Stood Up!" |- | 1997 | ''Built to Last'' | Robert Watkins | Main Cast |- | 1999 | ''Law & Order'' | Langer | Episode: "Refuge: Part 2" |- | 2002 | ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' | Dr. Constantino | Episode: "Dolls" |- |rowspan=5| 2007 | ''That's So Raven'' | Michael Thomas | Episode: "The Way They Were" |- | ''The Wedding Bells'' | Dr. Harris | Episode: "The Most Beautiful Girl" |- | ''Boston Legal'' | Dr. Mitch Morris | Episode: "Beauty and the Beast" |- | ''Las Vegas'' | Dr. Eric Haber | Episode: "Shrink Rap" |- | ''The Journeyman'' | Matthew Tarbell | Episode: "The Year of the Rabbit" |- | 2007–21 | ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' | Various Roles | Guest Cast: Season 3 & 7 & 15 |- |rowspan=3| 2008 | ''Medium'' | Unemployment Evaluator | Recurring Cast: Season 4 |- | ''I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant'' | Hospital Staff | Episode: "Special #1" |- | ''Without a Trace'' | Jay Costas | Episode: "Live to Regret" |- | 2010 | ''FlashForward'' | Dr. Julian Ebbing | Episode: "The Garden of Forking Paths" |- | 2010–11 | ''The Secret Life of the American Teenager'' | Mediator/Judge | Guest Cast: Season 2-3 |- |rowspan=2| 2014 | ''The Leftovers'' | Kind Man | Episode: "The Prodigal Son Returns" |- | ''The Affair'' | Victor | Episode: "Episode #1.10" |- |rowspan=2| 2015 | ''The Slap'' | Dr. Fletcher | Episode: "Richie" |- | ''Deadbeat'' | Arthur | Episode: "Table for Sue" |- | 2016 | ''Divorce'' | Gerald | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |- |rowspan=3| 2017 | ''Blue Bloods'' | Sergeant Weller | Episode: "Love Lost" |- | ''Lucifer'' | Assistant Dean | Episode: "Deceptive Little Parasite" |- | ''The Blacklist'' | Dresner | Episode: "The Endling (No. 44)" |- |rowspan=2| 2018 | ''Elementary'' | Vernon Fisk | Episode: "An Infinite Capacity for Taking Pains" |- | ''NCIS: New Orleans'' | Commander Calvin Atkins | Episode: "Pound of Flesh" |- |rowspan=2| 2019 | ''Billions'' | Abington | Episode: "Maximum Recreational Depth" |- | ''On Becoming a God in Central Florida'' | Pastor Steve | Recurring Cast |- |rowspan=3| 2020 | ''Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet'' | Tom | Episode: "A Dark Quiet Death" |- | ''Power'' | Daniel Warren | Recurring Cast: Season 6 |- | ''Bless This Mess'' | Pastor Paul | Recurring Cast: Season 2 |- | 2020–21 | ''The Haves and the Have Nots'' | Conley | Recurring Cast: Season 7-8 |- | 2020–22 | ''Power Book II: Ghost'' | Daniel Warren | Guest: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2 |- |rowspan=2| 2021 | ''That Damn Michael Che'' | Thurgood Carver | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |- | ''The Good Fight'' | Daniel | Recurring Cast: Season 5 |- |rowspan=3| 2022 | ''New Amsterdam'' | Chris/Santa | Episode: "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" |- | ''The Rookie'' | Graham Scott | Episode: "Coding" |- | ''Bull'' | Judge Westlake | Episode: "Opening Up" |- | 2022–23 | ''All Rise'' | Carl Brewer | Recurring Cast: Season 3 |- |rowspan="3"| 2024 | ''Ghosts'' | Gene | Episode: “The Polterguest” |- | ''Poppa's House'' | J. J. Fulton | Recurring Cast |- | ''QueenDom PI'' | Bruno | Episode: "Do You Speak Bulgarian?" |- | 2025 | ''The Night Agent'' | Patrick Knox | Episode: "A Good Agent" |- | 2026 | ''The Pitt'' | Dr. Clay Barrett | Episode: "7:00 P.M."<ref>[https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/geoffrey-owens-the-pitt-season-2-1236698145/ Geoffrey Owens to Guest Star on ‘The Pitt’ Season 2: First Look (EXCLUSIVE)]</ref> |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Geoffrey Owens}} *{{official|https://www.geoffreyowens.com/}} *{{IMDb name|0654369}} *{{IBDB name|490710}} *{{IOBDB name|3110}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Owens, Geoffrey}} Category:1961 births Category:20th-century African-American male actors Category:20th-century American male actors Category:21st-century African-American male actors Category:21st-century American male actors Category:American grocers Category:American male film actors Category:American male television actors Category:John Dewey High School alumni Category:Living people Category:Yale University alumni