Joaquin Phoenix made his first appearance on CBS’ The Late Show in 15 years on Tuesday night, where he openly expressed regret about his now-infamous 2009 interview with former host David Letterman. The actor, known for his intense roles, discussed how that particular appearance has remained a difficult memory, marking it as one of the lowest points in his life.
The Context Behind the Controversial Interview
In 2009, Phoenix appeared on The Late Show with disheveled hair, a messy beard, and sunglasses, behaving erratically. This stunt was part of the mockumentary I’m Still Here, directed by Casey Affleck, which chronicled Phoenix’s staged retirement from acting to pursue a hip-hop career. He stayed in character during the film’s production, which led to widespread rumors that he was experiencing a mental health crisis during the Letterman interview.
Joaquin Phoenix’s Apology and Honest Admission
Speaking with Stephen Colbert, who now hosts The Late Show, Phoenix shared his feelings about that night.
“It was horrible. It was so uncomfortable. I regret it. I’ll never do it again. I’m so sorry,”
he said. When Colbert mentioned not knowing if Letterman had watched the interview, Phoenix added,
“He might be and I just need to say, I’m sorry.”
Colbert responded with humor, recalling the experience.
“I watched it live. There’s a thing those of us who do these kinds of shows know — there is something you never want to be part of, and the phrase is ‘great TV,’”
Colbert said to Phoenix, who laughed.
“My friend, that was great TV!”
Planning the Stunt and Its Backlash
Phoenix revealed that he actually warned the Late Show team in advance about his intentions.
“When I came on this show with Dave, I originally did the pre-interview in character and I realized that it was just like a little silly, so I called them back and I said, ‘Listen, this is what I’m doing. I’m coming out here and I’m doing this whole thing, and I just want Dave to, like, lacerate me. I just want it to be really dangerous,’”
he recalled.
He explained the goal was to provoke a strong reaction and observe how he would respond.
“That was the kind of intention, right? We just always wanted to get this reaction and see how I would respond to that,”
Phoenix said.
“It was beneficial for no one to know, except when needed.”
Reflecting on both the impact and his feelings about the stunt, he said,
“It was strange because in some ways, it was a success, and it was also just one of the worst nights of my life.”
Earlier Apologies and Letterman’s Perspective
Following the 2009 incident, Phoenix returned to the show in 2010 and publicly apologized to Letterman. He acknowledged,
“You’ve interviewed many, many people and I assumed that you would kind of know the difference between a character and a real person,”
before adding,
“But I apologize. I hope I didn’t offend you in any way.”
Years later, in a 2017 interview with Howard Stern, Letterman offered his view on what had happened.
“I knew what he was doing ahead of time,”
Letterman said.
“I did enjoy it because it was, you know, like getting your work in on the heavy bag. It was just easy. It was batting practice.”
The Lasting Impact of the Regretted Interview
Joaquin Phoenix’s candid reflections on the Letterman interview highlight the intense pressures actors face when blending performance with real life. His regret over the stunt underscores how theatrical experiments can have unexpected personal consequences, even when carefully planned.
As Phoenix continues his career, including his Oscar-winning role in Joker, such moments serve as reminders of the fine line between performance art and personal well-being. His return to The Late Show after 15 years also demonstrates his willingness to confront and clarify a complex chapter in his public life.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who saved Joaquin Phoenix?
A. Well-known movie director Werner Herzog talks about the time he stopped Joaquin Phoenix from lighting a dangerous cigarette.
Q. When did Joaquin Phoenix stop acting?
A. That’s one possible reason why Phoenix suddenly stopped acting in 2008. He chose to grow an untidy beard and pursue his struggling rap career instead.
Q. Does Joaquin Phoenix have a disability?
A. Joaquin Phoenix’s journey with scoliosis highlights his strength and determination in the face of physical difficulties. His openness about his condition motivates many people and brings attention to scoliosis.
Q. Is Joaquin Phoenix a vegan?
A. Besides acting, Phoenix advocates for animal rights. As a vegan, he frequently backs charitable efforts and has made documentaries about how eating meat affects the planet.
