Joaquin Phoenix regrets his uncomfortable interview with David Letterman
- Joaquin Phoenix appeared on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on July 16, 2025, discussing his past interview with David Letterman from 2009.
- During the original interview, Phoenix was in character for a role, which led to misconceptions about his mental health.
- He expressed deep regret over the experience, emphasizing that it was both a strange success and one of the worst nights of his life.
In a recent appearance on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on July 16, 2025, Joaquin Phoenix, the well-known actor, expressed his regret over a 2009 interview he had with David Letterman, which he characterized as one of the most troublesome nights of his life. During this interview, Phoenix was in character for his film 'I'm Not Here,' wherein he plays a fictionalized version of himself pursuing a career in hip-hop. His portrayal led many viewers to speculate that he was undergoing a mental breakdown despite it being an act. The actor reflected on this experience, stating it was both a success, in terms of creating discussion, and a personal failure due to the discomfort it caused him. Phoenix elaborated that the experience left him feeling uneasy, and he realized staying in character led to additional complications. He spent more time in character than anticipated, having originally planned to remain in this role for only a few weeks or months. Instead, they filmed for over a year, which made it challenging to break character when going public. The actor recalled wanting to push boundaries during the interview, hoping to incite a genuine response from Letterman, but concluded that this approach was ultimately harmful and regrettable. During Colbert's show, Phoenix also took the opportunity to send an apology directly to Letterman, acknowledging how uncomfortable the experience was and reiterating his regret about it. After expressing his remorse, Phoenix affirmed that he would never repeat such an experience again, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself in public appearances. This latest discussion served to highlight not only Phoenix's growth as an actor but also the evolving landscape of celebrity interviews where authenticity and mental health awareness are taken into consideration. Phoenix's remarks attracted media attention and reignited conversations about actor portrayals in interviews, the line between performance and reality, and the responsibilities of public figures to maintain their mental well-being while in the public eye.