An actor who was a regular on “The Cosby Show” said he’s thankful for the support he has received since photos of him working at a grocery store showed up on news sites.

Geoffrey Owens said Tuesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he did feel some people were trying to job shame him. But he stressed that “every job is worthwhile and valuable,” adding that what’s important is the honor of the working person and the dignity of the work.

“There is no job that’s better than another,” he said. “It may pay better, it may have better benefits, it may look better on paper. But it’s not better. Every job is worthwhile.”

Owens said people had recognized him in the past and that it was never an issue, noting they were “very, very cool about it.” The 57-year-old actor said he hasn’t had an acting job that lasted more than 10 weeks since leaving “The Cosby Show,” but has taught acting at Yale and worked other jobs related to entertainment.

“I wanted a job where I could have some flexibility” if auditions or other matters came up, Owen said. “I didn’t advertise it, not because I was ashamed of it, but because I didn’t want the acting community to think that I wasn’t pursuing acting anymore.”

The woman who submitted the photos seemed stunned to see someone from such a popular show doing that type of work. But several actors pointed out they have to make a living between gigs and places that offer health insurance are especially attractive.

Actor and former professional football player Terry Crews tweeted that he swept floors after the NFL and “if need be, I’d do it again.” Actor Blair Underwood tweeted that Owens is “being a man in doing what he needs to do to provide for himself and his family.”

Owens was most recently in an episode of “Elementary” and finished a movie called “Impossible Monsters.”

“No one should feel sorry for me,” he said. “I’ve had a great life, a great career.”

UPDATE:

The woman who took photos of a former regular on “The Cosby Show” while he worked at a New Jersey grocery store says she’s filled with regret over the uproar they caused.

Karma Lawrence tells NJ.com she took the photos on impulse and meant no ill will toward Geoffrey Owens. She shuttered her social media accounts after her photos showed up on news sites and she received a wave of negative responses.

The situation has improved for Owens. As of Sept. 7, TMZ reported, Tyler Perry had offered Owens a role on “The Haves and Have Nots,” the top-rated drama on OWN, the TV network owned by Oprah Winfrey. Owens will join the cast and crew when filming begins.

– AP