He’s here, and sporting his Trader Joe’s nametag. Former Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens about to speak on @GMA after being shamed online for working at a grocery store. pic.twitter.com/aQxFDGQTkG — T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) September 4, 2018

The former "Cosby Show" actor job-shamed by some media outlets over the weekend with photos showing him working at a Trader Joe's in New Jersey to make ends meet, said Tuesday he was so upset that he quit his job.

Geoffrey Owens

"I was really devastated," Geoffrey Owens, who lives in Montclair, said during an interview on Good Morning America.

But Owens said the outpouring of support he received on social media from the entertainment industry and beyond helped him through it.

"The period of devastation was so short because so shortly after that, the responses my wife and I started to read - literally all over the world ... fortunately, the shame part didn't last very long."

"It hurt, but then, it's amazing," he said.

On the "Cosby Show," Owens played Elvin Tibideaux, the husband of one of the Huxtable daughters, Sandra.

What is wrong with some people? They shame you if you work, if you don’t work, if you earn too much, if you don’t earn enough. Please people, don’t judge others. The best to you Geoffrey Owens. — Barbara Simmons (@Barbara_S1919) September 4, 2018

He told the Good Morning America hosts he hasn't had an acting job that lasted more than 10 weeks since leaving the sitcom.

However, he has taught acting at Yale and worked other jobs related to entertainment. Those positions didn't pay enough to make ends meet, he said.

The actor said he worked at the Trader Joe's store for 15 months before photos of him working as a cashier appeared in the Daily Mail and on Fox News.

He said people had recognized him in the past and that it was never an issue.

"People recognized me every day and they were very, very cool about it," he said.

Owens added that he wants people to realize that every job is "valuable and worthwhile."

"No one should feel sorry for me," he said. "I've had a great life and I've had a great career."

Moments after the interview, Tyler Perry tweeted: "I'm about to start shootings OWN's number one drama next week! Come join us!!!"

#GeoffreyOwens I’m about to start shootings OWN’s number one drama next week! Come join us!!! I have so much respect for people who hustle between gigs. The measure of a true artist. — Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) September 4, 2018

FULL INTERVIEW: @GMA EXCLUSIVE -- "There's no job better than another...every job is worthwhile..." Actor Geoffrey Owens speaks out, responding to job shaming and backlash after a photo of him working at a grocery store was posted online: https://t.co/0wZJnpowI9 pic.twitter.com/aNiG5fV2yf — Good Morning America (@GMA) September 4, 2018

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.