Joaquin Phoenix tells Stephen Colbert he regrets infamous Letterman interview
Joaquin Phoenix has a few regrets.
The "Joker: Folie à Deux" star, 50, stopped by "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Tuesday, July 15, and apologized for another time he was on the show back when it had a different host: His infamous 2009 interview with David Letterman, in which he remained in character for the entire, painfully awkward, conversation.
"It was horrible," Phoenix said. "It was so uncomfortable. I regret it. I'll never do it again. I'm so sorry."
In case Letterman himself was watching, Phoenix reiterated, "I just need to say, I'm sorry." He also joked about returning to the same theater where the Letterman interview was filmed, quipping, "I imagine they did a major exorcism after I left."
The Oscar-winning actor appeared on "The Late Show" for the original interview in February 2009. Wearing sunglasses and sporting a large beard, he mumbled his way through the conversation and was largely unresponsive to Letterman's questions, appearing disengaged.
By the end of the appearance, Phoenix became combative with Letterman, taking a piece of gum out of his mouth and sticking it on the host's desk. Letterman mocked Phoenix throughout the segment, drawing laughter from the crowd while the actor did not appear amused.
"Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight," Letterman quipped as he wrapped the interview up.
Phoenix was performing in character in connection with his mockumentary film "I'm Still Here," in which he claims he is quitting acting and pursuing a hip-hop career. The appearance on "The Late Show" was used as a scene in the film itself.
In 2010, Phoenix returned to the show as himself and explained he was playing a character last time. "I hope I didn't offend you in any way," he said, to which Letterman replied, "Oh no, I was not offended. I'm telling you, it was so much fun."
Speaking with Colbert on July 15, while promoting his new film, "Eddington," Phoenix reflected that he felt "stuck" needing to keep his character going while making "I'm Still Here." He also noted that he told Letterman's producers ahead of time that he planned to stay in character and hoped the comedian would roast him.
"I said, 'Listen, this is what I'm doing. I'm telling you, I'm coming out here and I'm doing this whole thing, and I just want Dave to lacerate me,'" he recalled. "I just want it to be really dangerous."
In that regard, Phoenix got what he was looking for, noting, "In some ways, it was a success, and it was also just one of the worst nights of my life."