Joaquin Phoenix to David Letterman: I'm Sorry

Actor Joaquin Phoenix returned to David Letterman's "Late Show" on Wednesday to apologize for his wacky appearance last year that turned out to be an elaborate piece of performance art.

"You've interviewed many, many people and I assumed that you would know the difference between a character and a real person, so - but I apologize," Phoenix said. "I hope I didn't offend you in any way."

No offense taken, Letterman replied. The chance to lob jokes at Phoenix was fun, he said.

Phoenix was clean-cut and shaven Wednesday, without the shaggy beard, unruly hair and sunglasses he wore on Feb. 11, 2009, when he told a befuddled Letterman that he was giving up acting for a rap career. Describing that appearance on Wednesday, Letterman said it was "like you slipped and hit your head in the tub."

Instead, Phoenix was playing a role for filmmaker friend Casey Affleck. The documentary on Phoenix's fake "career change," called "I'm Still Here," just hit theaters.

At Letterman's urging, Phoenix made clear that the talk-show host was not in on the joke.

"We'd hoped to come on a talk show," Phoenix said with a laugh, "and I was looking for a beat down, and I got one ... I want to thank you for that."

Affleck, who appeared with Jay Leno on the "Tonight" show Tuesday, said no one from Hollywood called to express concern about Phoenix when he was acting strangely.

"Afterward, the movie comes out, the critics like to say `this is crazy, this is disturbing, this is sick,"' he said. "But while it's happening, people were happy just to mock him and make fun of him."

[Christina7347]

I'm glad to know that Joaquin Phoenix is alright. I thought there was something "strange" about this whole thing. I didn't really believe he would just quit acting to have a music career. I think he is such an amazing actor and plays alot of interesting characters. He has alot of talent and I think he is very underrated.

[ClarksvilleTN]

I couldn't agree more. I've been a huge fan for a long time and i was very concerned when he started behaving the way he was. He's an actor, they act and there you have it.
So happy that he's back and same ole Joaquin! The crush is back on!!! :)

[darwufche]

Has-been trying desperately to return. Go away.

[john_singer]

Typical Hollywood. Lies are their native tongue. Why should anyone be surprised? Maybe people will stop listening to the vile trash those California airheads spout, but I doubt it.

[John_Merritt]

Having heard alot of radio stations during a lengthy 2 week roadtrip through the heartland of America, many of the hosts were stating David Letterman knew about the 'hoax' from the beginning and played along with it. 'I'm Sorry' is superfluous and superficial at best. Phoenix would have been better off stating a year ago he was playing a part in an upcoming movie. Where is the harm in that?

[AlwaysSmiling]

If you mean that he should have stated it a year ago, then it would have detracted from the movie itself. After all, people can see through feigned shock, but when the shock is real, they believe it.

However, he (or Casey Affleck) should have contacted Letterman afterwards, and explained the situation to him. Although they may have done that.

[samael2014]

I still can't believe after reading this report, there are people here who just don't get it.

From what was reported above:

'Affleck, who appeared with Jay Leno on the "Tonight" show Tuesday, said no one from Hollywood called to express concern about Phoenix when he was acting strangely.

"Afterward, the movie comes out, the critics like to say `this is crazy, this is disturbing, this is sick,"' he said. "But while it's happening, people were happy just to mock him and make fun of him."'

This was a documentary, I believe in part designed to expose the shallow and judgemental nature of people, particularly those who sell people and a particular image through the media. The real concern for the media -- and American culture -- is to mock behavior that doesn't conform, not inquire with any level of respect.

I really doubt that the documentary -- and experiment it was performing -- ended until it was time to release the movie. Why would you let people who are the subject of the documentary in on anything while filming and production is still underway?

It's actually kind of humorous in that it appears to have been an anti-mockumentary, that is a documentary that records the mocking and exclusive nature of the media and people who eat it up every day. Talk shows especially.

But anyway, from listening to people's comments here -- they definitely were on to something by creating this documentary. A real camera eye look at the people who people-watch.