Joaquin Phoenix On "Late Show:" From Dr. Wacky To Mr. Clean

NEW YORK (CBS) A clean-cut, shaven Joaquin Phoenix appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Wednesday night.

The actor looked significantly different from the way he looked last time he sat down with the talk show host, no beard and no wacky behavior.

Letterman insisted that he had nothing to do with the hoax that director Casey Affleck and Phoenix set forth in hopes to make a different type of film in mockumentary "I'm Still Here."

"You know, I've always liked you," Letterman told the clean-cut actor. "I recognized you as a powerful talent...And then a year and a half ago you come out, and honestly it was like you slipped and hit your head in the tub."

Letterman then said, "If you were really the way you appeared to be, you don't go out. People don't let guys like you out if you're really like that."

Phoenix offered an apology, explaining that he just assumed people would be in on the joke - seeing how far-fetched it is. He said,  "Like you said, you've interviewed many, many people, and I assumed you would know the difference between a character and a real person," offering, "But I apologize, I hope I didn't offend you in anyway."

MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS