Geoffrey Owens facts for kids

Geoffrey Louis Owens (born March 18, 1961) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Elvin Tibideaux on the popular TV show The Cosby Show from 1985 to 1992. His father, Major Owens, was a United States Congressman.

Early Life and School

Geoffrey Owens was born in Brooklyn, New York. His mother, Ethel, taught music and literature. His father, Major Owens, was a librarian who later became a politician, serving in the New York State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Geoffrey has two brothers and two half-siblings.

He went to the High School of Performing Arts for a year. In 1983, he graduated with honors from Yale University.

Acting Career

One of Geoffrey Owens's first acting experiences was in a high school play. He played the main character in Peter Pan. This experience made him want to become an actor.

Becoming a TV Star

In 1985, Owens started his TV career on the show The Cosby Show. He played Elvin Tibideaux, who was the boyfriend of Sondra Huxtable. Elvin and Sondra got married, and he became a regular character on the show in 1987. He stayed on the series until it ended in 1992.

Other TV Shows and Movies

After The Cosby Show, Owens appeared in many other TV shows and movies. He played a lawyer in an episode of Elementary. He also appeared as himself on the comedy show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In this show, he played a character pretending to be famous athletes like Donovan McNabb and Tiger Woods. Later, he played the character Roger Murtaugh in a movie made by the characters on the show.

In 2007, he was a guest star on That's So Raven. He also appeared on the show Las Vegas. In 2008, he acted in the romantic comedy Play The Game.

He appeared on The Secret Life of the American Teenager as a mediator in 2010. He also had a role in the show FlashForward. In 2015, he played a doctor on the show The Slap. In 2017, he was an assistant dean on Lucifer.

Recent Roles and Challenges

In 2018, photos of Owens working at a Trader Joe's store were shared online. Many people thought this was unfair because it made fun of him for having a regular job. Owens agreed and eventually left the job because of all the attention.

After this, famous producer Tyler Perry offered Owens a role in his TV show The Haves and the Have Nots. Owens also got guest roles on NCIS: New Orleans and parts in movies like Fatale and Hide and Seek.

In 2020, he starred as a police detective in the film Impossible Monsters. He said he enjoyed playing a detective because he usually plays dads, lawyers, or teachers. He also had a supporting role in Power Book II: Ghost.

Teaching and Shakespeare

Geoffrey Owens is also a teacher and director. He started and is the artistic director of The Brooklyn Shakespeare Company. He has taught acting and Shakespeare at several universities, including Columbia University and Yale University.

He also has his own private Shakespeare workshop. He has been a guest teacher at many schools and theaters. For over 25 years, he has helped judge the National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center.

Personal Life

Geoffrey Owens married his wife, Josette, in 1995. They have one son together.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Geoffrey Owens para niños