Geoffrey Owens, best known for his role on The Cosby Show, is set to make a guest appearance on The Pitt. The actor will be portraying Dr. Clay Barrett, a cardio-thoracic surgeon, in an upcoming episode of Season 2, airing on Thursday, April 2. Owens gained viral fame in 2018 when a photo of him working at a Trader Joe’s in New Jersey surfaced online.
Owens has been open about his challenges finding work in the entertainment industry following his time on The Cosby Show. In 2024, he spoke about the misconceptions surrounding his financial situation, stating, “People have the impression that, ‘Well, you’re making a lot of money. What’s the problem?’ Why would you have financial troubles? They don’t understand the specifics of how my industry works.”
After the photo of him at Trader Joe’s went viral, Owens decided to leave the job due to the unwanted attention. Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “It was strange because someone had been in the store taking pictures… And I was like, well, now that this is breaking, I’m not going to feel comfortable working in this store, wondering who’s around with a camera. It’s gonna be just too weird. I’m a very private person.”
Despite the challenges he faced, Owens received overwhelming support from fellow actors and industry professionals. From 2020 to 2024, he landed roles in TV shows such as Power, All Rise, and Poppa’s House. In 2025, Owens made appearances in the films A Merry Little Ex-Mas and Nonnas.
Fans can catch new episodes of The Pitt streaming on HBO Max every Thursday at 8 pm CST/9 pm EST.
Geoffrey Owens’ journey in the industry serves as a testament to his resilience and passion for his craft.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.