Joaquin Phoenix expresses regret over one of his talk show appearances, describing it as among the most disastrous nights in his life.
Joaquin Phoenix, now 50, recently appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 16 years after his infamous interview with David Letterman in 2009. The interview, which left many viewers questioning Phoenix's mental state, was a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt for his mockumentary, I'm Still Here.
During the 2009 interview, Phoenix, sporting a shaggy beard and sunglasses, announced his retirement from acting to pursue a career in rap. The unconventional performance was part of the film's performance art, but at the time, neither Letterman nor the audience was aware of this. The bizarre behaviour led some viewers to believe Phoenix was experiencing a breakdown.
In a surprising turn of events, Phoenix later described the interview as both a success and "one of the worst nights of my life." He apologised publicly for the prank, including on Letterman's show in 2010, acknowledging that it was disorienting and expressing regret over how it was perceived.
Phoenix revealed that his intention was to get a reaction from Letterman and the public. He admitted to conducting the pre-interview in character but called Letterman to inform him of his plan. Phoenix also stated that he hoped for a dangerous and challenging interview, hoping for Letterman to tear him apart.
Despite the controversy, Phoenix stands by his decision to push boundaries with the stunt. However, he has expressed that he wouldn't repeat the experience due to its challenging nature. Parts of the 2009 interview were later used in the mockumentary I'm Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix.
Phoenix's appearance on Colbert's show marked a significant moment, as it was his first time on a late-night talk show since the 2009 interview. During the conversation, Phoenix could laugh about the incident, expressing that he is now able to look back on it with a sense of humour.
Reflecting on the past, Phoenix used the opportunity to apologise to David Letterman for any offense caused in 2009. He stated that he thought Letterman would have understood if someone was acting, but it seemed that the prank was taken too far.
Now, 16 years later, Phoenix's controversial interview remains a memorable moment in late-night television history, serving as a reminder of the actor's willingness to take risks for his craft.
Joaquin Phoenix's surprising revelation in 2010 acknowledged that his infamous 2009 interview with David Letterman was a performance art, aimed at disrupting pop-culture and entertaining viewers, even though some might have mistaken it for a genuine breakdown. In the present day, the controversial incident has become a significant piece of entertainment history, especially when considering the celebrities who push boundaries to make an impact.
