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Dem congressional candidate defends ex-‘Cosby Show’ actor photographed bagging groceries

by Morgan Gstalter - 09/02/18 5:42 PM ET

A Democrat running for Congress in Texas defended a former actor on “The Cosby Show” after he was photographed bagging groceries.

The Daily Mail originally covered actor Geoffrey Owens working as a cashier at a New Jersey Trader Joe’s.

Fox News later picked up the story on Friday and Dayna Steele, a U.S. House candidate in Texas’s 35th District, vented her frustration over the article on Twitter.

{mosads} Steele offered a new headline for Fox News on Saturday.

“‘Geoffrey Owens still acts occasionally, works at Trader Joe’s, and ministers to others in need, setting a good example for people everywhere. What a great guy,’” Steele wrote.

“That’s what @FoxNews should have said,” she added.

“Geoffrey Owens still acts occasionally, works at Trader Joe’s, and ministers to others in need, setting a good example for people everywhere. What a great guy.” That’s what @FoxNews should have said. https://t.co/Q14ZkpotYQ

— Dayna Steele for US Congress TX36 (@daynasteele) September 1, 2018

Owens played Sondra Huxtable’s husband, Elvin, on five seasons of the hit sitcom “The Cosby Show” from 1985 to 1992.

He still acts and most recently appeared on a 2017 episode of “Lucifer,” USA Today reported.

Several others came to Owens’ defense, saying there was “no shame” in working at a grocery store.

Chris Rankin, who played Percy Weasley in the “Harry Potter” movies, said he worked in the restaurant industry after starring in the blockbuster franchise.

“I worked in a Wetherspoons kitchen after being in Harry Potter,” Rankin tweeted on Saturday. “I needed a job, no shame in that. And you know what? I really enjoyed it! You do what you need to do and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

I worked in a Wetherspoons kitchen after being in Harry Potter. I needed a job, no shame in that. And you know what? I really enjoyed it! You do what you need to do and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. https://t.co/1RI8sltHMe

— Chris Rankin (@chrisrankin) September 1, 2018

Several other social media users criticized the outlets for covering Owens’ employment.

Walter Schaub, the former director of the White House Ethics Office, took a hit at Fox News and praised Owen for “contributing to society.”

What is the matter with you? The man has a job. Whoever runs this FoxNews Twitter account should be envious of this man: He’s contributing to society. Look in the mirror: The same can’t be said of you.

— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) September 1, 2018

Aaron Fentress, an NBC Sports contributor, said the report was “beyond classless.”

This is beyond classless. Leave that man alone.

— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) September 2, 2018

This isn’t news. This is mean-spirited. I have so much more respect for this actor than the hack who “covered” this “story.”

— THICCOLAS CAGE (@RyBlackinton) September 2, 2018

Well, not every former 80s actor is enough of an asshole to resurface with a job as a talking head on your trash network (“Up next: Chachi explains why Trump good, immigrants bad!”). At least this man’s perfectly respectable job helps people. Fuck you.

— Rob Sheridan (@rob_sheridan) September 1, 2018