Joaquin Phoenix Apologizes for Discomforting Interview with David Letterman: Acted Night He'd Rather Forgotten
Joaquin Phoenix, the acclaimed actor currently starring in Ari Aster's new movie "Eddington", recently appeared on *The Late Show With Stephen Colbert*. This marked his first appearance on the late-night show since his 2009 interview with Dave Letterman, an encounter that remains a memorable moment in television history.
In 2009, Phoenix was promoting his mockumentary "I'm Still Here" alongside Casey Affleck. During the interview, Phoenix appeared in character, leading some to believe he was having a genuine breakdown. The interview was indeed uncomfortable, with Phoenix announcing his retirement from acting to pursue a career in hip-hop music.
Reflecting on the interview during his 2025 appearance on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*, Phoenix described it as "one of the worst nights of my life." He called the experience "horrible" and expressed regret for the discomfort it caused. Phoenix and Colbert discussed the strange and tense nature of the 2009 interview, acknowledging that while it was successful in terms of the mockumentary's intention, it was a personally challenging experience for Phoenix.[1][2]
In contrast, Phoenix's 2010 appearance on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* was markedly different. He offered an on-air apology to Dave Letterman for the 2009 interview, although he did not reiterate his previous statements of regret and apology during the 2010 conversation.[3]
Phoenix's full interview with Stephen Colbert can be watched below, offering viewers a unique insight into the actor's reflections on his past and his current projects.
[1] The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, "Joaquin Phoenix on His 2009 Interview with David Letterman", 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Joaquin Phoenix: 'I'm so sorry' for 2009 David Letterman interview", 2025. [3] The Hollywood Reporter, "Joaquin Phoenix Apologizes to Dave Letterman for 2009 Interview", 2010.
During his 2025 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Joaquin Phoenix discussed the infamous 2009 interview where he promoted his mockumentary "I'm Still Here", stating it as "one of the worst nights of my life." More recently, Phoenix shared the screen with celebrities in Ari Aster's new movie "Eddington", further proving his versatility in various aspects of entertainment, including movies and TV.
