Geoffrey Owens gets huge ovation for speech after being job-shamed for working at Trader Joe’s

After a roller-coaster 2018, actor Geoffrey Owens received the recognition he deserved at the 2019 SAG Awards.

Owens, who first rose to fame as Elvin Tibideaux on "The Cosby Show" in the early nineties, fell on hard times when his career took a dip.

In September 2018, he was publically shamed for working at a Trader Joe's retail outlet. The photos were shared online anonymously and soon went viral.

A FELLOW ACTOR HELPED HIM GET BACK ON TRACK

The viral photos opened up acting opportunities for him after Tyler Perry saw them and offered Owens a role in "The Haves and the Have Nots."

Speaking at the 2019 SAG Awards, Owens explained that "somewhere in the middle of the road of my life, I found myself in a dark wood of unemployment and debt."

He added: "But instead of switching careers like a sane person, I took a job at a local Trader Joe's to see if I can hang in there with my career. And it actually worked out quite well."

The crowd cheered enthusiastically as Owens ended his monologue on a dramatic note: "I'm Geoffrey Owens, and I'm an actor!"

A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD

His career is now back on track and fans can look forward to his upcoming projects. Two of his films are currently in post-production, and a third is complete.

Owens will portray the role of Jacobs in "Impossible Monsters," and was cast as Bill Cranepool in "Fatale." The release dates have not yet been confirmed.

He can also be seen as the "Man Who Sneezes" in "Frizzle." The short film was scheduled for release in 2018, but production was delayed.

ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENING

It was a great evening for the cast of "This Is Us," who was awarded for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

They went up against "Better Call Saul," "The Americans," "The Handmaid's Tale," and "Ozark." Justin Hartly thanked their fans for the continued support:

"Thank you so much for embracing a show that's about life and its unpredictable loss and its sweet, sweet victories and inclusivity."