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Geoffrey Owens is "extremely grateful" to Nicki Minaj for giving him $ 25,000 after learning he worked at Trader Joe's. But instead of keeping the gift important, the actor sends the funds to other actors who need it.
"I would like to donate this 25K donation to the Actor's Fund in memory of the late Earle Hyman, who played Cosby's father, Russell. The Cosby Show – who has lived his last years and who died at the actors' homes (funded and managed by the Actors Fund), "said Owens, 57, in a statement.
"I am extremely grateful to Nicki Minaj for allowing troubled actors to pursue their dreams," he concluded.
And Minaj, 35, seems to fully support his decision.
"I'm happy to be part of a great cause," she told the website. "I wish Geoffrey every success and I want him to know how much he is loved. Rest in peace with Earle Hyman.
Earlier this month, Minaj offered his support to Owens after learning that he was working at the grocery store between comedians' concerts – saying that she wanted to give him $ 25,000.
"This man is a complete legend," said the rapper during an episode of Queen radio on Beats 1. "This man now has so many opportunities, I personally want to donate $ 25,000."
Minaj also called Karma Lawrence, the woman who took Owens' picture at a Trader Joe's in New Jersey where he was doing grocery shopping.
Calling Lawrence a "fool", the star accused him of "trying to embarrass this hardworking man", who played Elvin Tibideaux on The Cosby Show from 1985 to 1992.
WATCH: Geoffrey Owens on Being Shamed for his work at Trader Joe's: "No one should be sorry for me"
Speaking with PEOPLE, Owens said his first thought following the announcement of his trader Joe's job was how his son would feel it.
In detailing his fear that his 19-year-old is being humiliated, one of them 'father recalled: "I texted my son and warned him about the breakup 'history. I apologized for embarrassing him because I knew he was away from school. I knew his classmates would see him and he would be humiliated and embarrassed. I apologized to him.
Owens, who worked at the grocery store for 15 months, added, "Even before the wave of support settled in an hour or two, he sent me a nice text to tell me how much he was proud of me. I cried, I just broke down. He felt the opposite of embarrassment. He was so proud to have taken the job. It was beautiful. "
He said the attention he has been receiving since then was overwhelming.
Geoffrey Owens
Larry Busacca / Getty Images
"It really hurts. I felt really humiliated, "said Owens. "I tried to imagine the worst case scenario to prepare myself and then it was just a little worse. If it was possible.
But the experience has turned into a learning moment for the actor.
"It's because I kind of hooked up and persevered that all these amazing things are now happening. I'm usually someone who perseveres, but that has confirmed me how important it was to stay there, "said Owens. "I think it's so important to so many people in my area. Just hang on!
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