16 July 2025
Joaquin Phoenix has finally said the words many long wondered if they’d ever hear — “I’m sorry, Dave.”
The Oscar-winning actor, 50, publicly apologised to legendary broadcaster David Letterman for his chaotic 2009 appearance on The Late Show, which left audiences confused and Letterman visibly bewildered.
Phoenix, who at the time was promoting the romantic drama Two Lovers, appeared on the show completely in character for his mockumentary I’m Still Here, pretending to have quit acting to become a hip-hop artist. The performance — shaggy beard, sunglasses, and mumbled replies included — went viral for all the wrong reasons.
Appearing this week on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Phoenix reflected on the infamous stunt with regret.
“It was strange, because in some ways it was a success and it was also just one of the worst nights of my life,” he said. “As part of the promotion for a film that I had made, I was coming on the show, and so I was stuck.”
Phoenix admitted that while he was committed to the bit for I’m Still Here, the reality of sitting across from Letterman, in front of a live studio audience, became deeply uncomfortable.
“When I came on the show with Dave, I originally did the pre-interview in character, and I realised that it was just a little silly,” he explained. “So I called them back and I said, ‘Listen, this is what I’m doing. I’m coming out here and I’m doing this whole thing. I just want Dave to like lacerate me, I just want it to be really dangerous.’”
However, that approach, he now admits, was misguided.
“It was horrible, it was so uncomfortable. I regret it. I’ll never do it again. I’m so sorry,” Phoenix confessed, adding, “It was beneficial for no one to know [about the bit] except when needed.”
When Colbert joked that he wasn’t sure if David Letterman would be watching the apology, Joaquin responded earnestly:
“He might be, and I just need to say I’m sorry.”
Phoenix eventually returned to The Late Show in 2010 to explain himself once I’m Still Here was revealed as a mockumentary. Still, the appearance remains one of the most bizarre moments in late-night history.
He laughed to Colbert, recalling the aftermath:
“I imagine they did like a major exorcism after I left.”
The Eddington star’s candid apology comes years after the event but underscores his growth — from method-prank chaos to introspective leading man.
