AceShowbiz - Geoffrey Owens, once a household name for his portrayal of Elvin Tibideaux on "The Cosby Show", made unexpected headlines in 2018 when photos of him working as a cashier at a New Jersey Trader Joe's went viral. Despite the wave of support from celebrities and the public, Owens continues to face financial hardships as a middle-class actor.

During a recent interview with Atlanta radio station V-103, Owens, who was promoting his new film "Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza", revealed that he is still struggling to make a living. "I struggle every day to make my ends meet," the 63-year-old actor stated.

He emphasized the misconception that all actors, especially those seen in popular shows and films, are financially well-off. Owens pointed out, "People have a false impression of what the average, what I call 'middle-class actor' makes, and their ability to make a living in the industry."

The average salary for an actor, according to the U.S. Labor Bureau of Statistics in 2023, was approximately $62,000. However, this figure includes a wide range of acting jobs, from theatrical performances to film and television roles. Owens' case exemplifies how this income may not always be sufficient, especially with sporadic work and the complexity of streaming residuals.

Residuals, the payments actors receive when shows or films they've appeared in are rerun, have become a contentious issue with the rise of subscription-based streaming platforms. Owens noted that his residual checks "were never particularly wonderful." Other actors, like Mandy Moore and Sydney Sweeney, have also spoken out about receiving extremely low residual payments for streaming deals, further highlighting the financial instability in the industry.

Even renowned actors like Jim Carrey have faced financial pressures, sometimes being forced out of retirement to take on new roles. Owens, after the Trader Joe's incident, returned briefly to his cashier job to supplement his income before quitting due to privacy concerns.