Joaquin Phoenix reflects back on his awful interview with Letterman, which he labels as "one of the worst nights of my life"
Joaquin Phoenix's appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" in 2009 was a memorable one, not for the usual reasons one might expect from a late-night talk show. The actor, then in character for the mockumentary "I'm Still Here," delivered a deliberately bizarre performance that left both Letterman and the audience taken aback.
Phoenix sported a shaggy beard, sunglasses, and announced his retirement from acting to pursue a rap career. Unbeknownst to Letterman, this was all part of the act. The interview was tense, with Phoenix appearing distracted, giving brief answers, and chewing gum throughout. He even refused to introduce a clip Letterman wanted to air, causing visible frustration for the host.
In retrospect, Phoenix admitted that the interview was a performance art stunt designed to provoke and gauge reactions. He pre-interviewed in character and then called the show to explain the stunt, hoping that Letterman would "lacerate" him on air and reveal the true extent of the act’s difficulty and discomfort. Phoenix later described the experience as "horrible," "so uncomfortable," and one of the "worst nights" of his life.
The interview caused quite a stir. Many viewers and critics thought Phoenix was having a nervous breakdown, while Letterman himself seemed visibly frustrated on air. The stunt became infamous in pop culture, regarded as "great TV" by some for its unpredictability. Phoenix publicly apologized for the interview shortly after in 2010 and again more recently in 2025, acknowledging the interview’s negative reception and expressing regret.
During a recent appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Phoenix noted that he wanted to apologize to Letterman if he was watching the interview. The 2009 interview was not incorporated into Phoenix's movie, unlike earlier speculation.
Phoenix is currently starring in the film "Eddington," and the controversy surrounding the 2009 interview seems to have been left in the past. However, the actor added that the interview was strange because it was a success and also one of the worst nights of his life. The 2009 interview remains a fascinating example of an actor pushing boundaries and leaving a lasting impression, albeit a controversial one.
Joaquin Phoenix's unusual appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" in 2009 was not just a late-night talk show event; it was also a premeditated performance art stunt, aiming to create a stir in the entertainment world, specifically within the realms of movies-and-tv entertainment. The interview, intended to provoke and gauge reactions, saw Phoenix delivering a bizarre performance, as seen in his shaggy beard, sunglasses, and retirement announcement from acting to pursue a rap career, all of which were part of the act.
