September 14th, 2010
01:34 PM ET
Joaquin Phoenix headed back to 'Letterman'In February, 2009, Joaquin Phoenix made an appearance on David Letterman’s “Late Show” that left viewers wondering if he was acting or if he'd indeed completely lost it. At the time, the actor walked onto the set with a beard obscuring most of his face, sunglasses to conceal the rest of it and no desire to actually be interviewed, it seemed. Letterman tried to coax something out of the star in hopes to save the interview, but ended it by saying he was sorry Phoenix couldn't be there that night. Well, according to the New York Times, Phoenix will head back to “Letterman” on September 22 – although which persona he’ll be bringing remains to be seen. Perhaps he’ll explain what exactly is going on with his documentary, “I’m Still Here,” which is currently playing in limited release.
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Twice now Joaquin Phoenix has appeared on the David Letterman show. Bravo for David to give it another try. But, I seriously believe Joaquin is so screwed up on drugs that he's unable to communicate or participate in the real world. What a horrible waste of time.
I loved this guy!! He's the kind of man I'd love to hug and say thank you for all your talent.
If he's hurting , that 's okay. That means he is alive. I'm sure that he will recover.
What doesn't kill us only makes us stronger!
Cameron L Deezie
he's an amazing actor. He had a movie come out last year called "Two Lovers" and he was incredible in it. He nailed the role of a closed down, grown up. I think he's misunderstood. He seems like one of those people that just likes to have fun with his life, but people keep pegging him as this intense, psycophatic artis.
Well, the FIRST visit caused such a media frenzy... I guess Letterman is hard up for publicity, he's willing to have the moron back on his show.
He has mental health problems and is supposed to take meds. Given that his brother od'd and died from street meds. Maybe he has opted not to take anything prescribed or otherwise and is okay being psychotic and nuts.
Dear Jessica
What evidence to you know of that Joaquin Phoenix is mentally ill? Without personally examining somebody it isn't right to diagnose them. If anyone makes a factual statement they should be capable of backing it up. Plus unless you're a physician you can't possibly tell what meds he needs.
Crispin Glover and Joaquin should have a rap duel on the Late Show.
What a great idea. Glover is a real freak.
I miss river he probly does too
All you guys get a life!
Like I need another excuse not to watch Letterman.
Exactly.
To all those who are passing judgment and criticizing JP for doing what he want to do with His life! You all need to get a life and mind y'all own Biz. Bearded, drugged out, needing a shower or whatever else, he is an amazing actor who has done some serious real acting! He is cool individual and I assume a decent human being who is different from those you want to think they got it all together! He has the courage to do what he desire and is afraid or concerned about what john public thinks. Let the brother be who and what he wants to be! My prayers is that his family stick by him and help see him through whatever he his dealing with! Much Love JP, get back to work soon!
What a shame! A good actor who needs rehab.If this is a publicity campaign it isnt working. HE LOOKS BAD.
Great actor, but I can't help wondering if he's constantly on drugs. He seemed to slur his words when acting in Walk the Line. Perhaps he's shy or has adhd...
YAWN! Joachin Phoenix turns over a new leaf...film at 11.
Some of the stuff written here! You act like JP is reading your words. Guess what? He doesn't care what anyone thinks about what he is doing or who he has become. Go get on with your life!
I sure enjoyed killing him in Gladiator. He plays the guy you would love to kill extremely well.
Loved you in your movie....A Beautiful Mind!!!
Your eyes!!!
kiss kiss
Cameron
Of course he didn't want to be interviewed. No guest wants to be badgered after being on my show.
Maybe he just needs another azz kickin' from Russell Crow...
Joaquin is a cool and bad ass mf! He was awesome in "we own the nights".
So, what if he has a drug problem and doesn't really want to put on an act or front an image.
Maybe he just wants to zone out and say f! uck showbiz for a while.
Let him just do his best 2 apeare in d script b4 hollywood will do somthing funy.
Look doesn't really matter what the deal is with him. His life not yours, his choices not yours,he's a talented actor and needs to get in touch with what's important to him and is family only and not pander to the wants of the non important distractions critics, fans and fanatics good or bad he needs "us" the unimportant distractions to allow his life to be his
They could care less if he says one word or not..This is going to be HUGE ratings, thats they only reason they want him on.
I hope he brings gum again.
who are you joac? who the f.... are u...are u?? are u??
I think he was trying to pull an andy kaufman.
This isn't about mere tv; the daily slime. This is about David "there's no off position to the genious switch" Letterman. Comedy legend DL is the only reason I still own a tv.
You folks still watch TV? Wow
bum look is always a good look. leave the poor guy alone for chrissake. he's had a tough run of it.
Who Cares?? Seriously, we are talking about Joaquin Phoenix.
When joaquin prepares for a role he completely loses himself in it. He literally tries to believe he is that person, so whatever he's trying to do now shouldn't be too shocking. I'm sure there's something planned.
I think he's still angry that he didn't win the Oscar for Walk The Line. I'd be p!ssed, too. I wonder why Johnny Depp hasn't done something like this. I hope he gets himself back together, for his own sake.
I never met a movie he made that I did not like. I hope he is doing well and living life to the fullest, drug and booze free. I would hate to see him end up like his brother, dead on a sidewalk convulsing. That is the evil of drugs. I have been preaching this to my kids since the day they were born. Drugs = destruction. Got that?
He is very talented, but his wierd theatrics take up way too much space the media. I'm really put off by the games he plays.
I hope he's still a mess. The more strungout the better.
Lmao @you fools that are mad @him for doing what he wants and not living life the way you want him to. Just let him do his thing lol
My money is on the act can't wait for letterman. Anyway we all can't help but watch as it unfolds. Phoenix has been amazing he is after all only a man.
"That Cocaine is a hell of a drug"...Rick James
petra you really need to ge back on something im depressed now
It is all an act and we all fell for it.
Sometimes talent can be right in front of you and one may never no what the person next to them is capable of. Many times these talents can be overpowered by the person you were or the person you have become and makes you unrecognizable to you friends and to your fans. No matter if you are a celebrity or a common everyday person, each action reflects on the person who you are good, bad or ugly. I think that Joaquin is a very talented man and a lost soul but some day he will wake up and have to or want to change. I did that one day and kicked the partying and the drugs, it was the day I found out I was pregnant and I made the consience decision of not going back to that life. Hopefully he will do the same and all of the things that he has experienced during this part of his life will make him a better person and actor.
wo really screwed up joaquin last name phoenix there it is . Just go crazy with hate after i hear about beiber thats my kryptonite.
i think everyone needs to shut up about kaufman and beiber. can we go a day without that name! Phoniex is cool no matter what
River Phoenix has done a way way better job of acting these last few years.
Suckers! It's all an act, and there better be a good reveal, because otherwise it's a pretty lame gag.
If it's an act or not eitherf way he's a fool...and Andy Kaufman was an ass...he didn't know when to be himself.
SOMETIME ACTORS, THEY GET LOST IN "WHAT IS UNREAL" AND BEGAN TO THINK IT IS REAL.
SO HE HAD SOME PROBLEMS, SEARCHING FOR HIMSELF. DEMONS HE HAS MET THEM!
What drug is he on??? I think we should put children to bed when he is on. God...is lettermanout of his mind?
We don't have other guest that we need him back on.....
Think he'll be "MERCIFUL!!"?
Its all a ploy
His bro was River Phoenix. Movie(s) "Stand by Me" et al. Do a little research. A facinating, yet oddly disturbing metamorphisis.
Its pretty easy for us to sit here and judge. None of us has any idea what's going on in the mans personal life! Nobody is perfect, and celebrities are not the only people who have struggled with drugs or alcohol. He's only human after all...just the same as us!
who was his brother??
His brother was River Phoenix.
He was raised in a cult. It's all there in Wikipedia. His parents were waaay out there. It appears he has just returned to the mean.
I like him I hope he get it together.....
did you mean butt hurt? or are they just a buttery mess? i hope he does something interesting and either way it should be.
YAY!
You people are all idiots, or not old enough to REALLY remember Andy Kaufman....seriously.............anyone that is taking this seriously is a total fool!
Shut up loser. Is Andy Kaufman your dad or something? Dont get so buttered!
I'm fairly young, but I know Andy Kaufman. I believe Joaquin is taking a similar route, so I find this whole situation amusing.
As long as he sobers up, is off drugs, shaves, showers, takes off the shades, puts on a crisp suit and shows up with a smile and a story... He will be fine. I have $100 that says this won't happen.
I like the new Joaquin better anyways. He is more interesting.
He's an amazeing actor w/ alot of talent. No-one's perfect and I think the best of us have some "weirdness". So he's had some bizarre moments/ behavior-alot of people do. His life has been very public, and filled w/ fame, constant differing attention, and painful loss. He'll get back to what was his near norm.
Correction, Sam–Joaquin WAS a genuine talent. I think those days are gone forever, over a long time ago, as Steely Dan would say.
Anyone who thinks this is some elaborate Andy Kaufman-type put-on are giving Phoenix more credit than he deserves.
As Freud famously said, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. If he looks, acts, and talks like a burned out drug casualty, Occam's Razor indicates that is exactly what he is.
Gotta agree with the first comment...joaquin is a genuine talent in relation to pure marketing ventures like the roundly nauseating justin bieber. *Puke in my mouth*
This guy has me totally confused. How he can turn out such wonderful performances in movies and then be so bizarre in real life is beyond me. Is this the real Joaquin? Or was he so damaged by his brother's death? Or is he spaced out on drugs? Or is this all a big act? Will the real Joaquin please stand up? Want to give you the benefit of the doubt, but man, you're making it difficult
Guess Letterman needs a laugh or two. From what I've read he's still the same way.
personally, I think Adam Carolla is right
Wow... Wait who's Joaquin?
I hope it was all a gag, if it was how hilarious, if he seriously lost himself..well that is sad, because I really like the guy.
I do wish he would keep acting, I like his work.
that appearance was epic! One of Letterman's greatest moments in show history! Ratings will be huge!
I like the weird persona...it works for me, very entertaining.
I'm Joaquin on sunshine, whoaoaoaoa!
I hope he shows up like a bum. People keep saying he is "acting", bs. Let the guy express himself. Just because you're good looking, good actor doesn't mean you need to live life like a hollywood tool. He's just acting like a normal person with issues, as opposed to most in hollywood who work to build up a huge false image to market.
I agree. So what if he can't rap? Let him live his life.
Let's hope he shows up back as his old self and this whole nightmare year was just some type of performance art piece.
wow hope he does better this time..he is a great looking guy who can really act i hope he gets it together soon or hollywood will give us another pretty face that cant act and has no talent at all.....ie justin beiber
Justin beiber isn't an actor hes a singer. Im not a fan but im sure you couldn't do any better if you tried! how can you say they have no talent?
Uh...although it doesn't really matter Justin Beiber has acted on television shows, lastly CSI, and his singing is no better than is acting... horrible. But I'm not a teenage girl, so he does still have a fan base.
Oh yeah. Phoenix is nuts and I hope he goes as full beard and all for a good laugh.
No matter how many stunts he pulls he'll never be as good as his brother (R.I.P)
Say what you want about Phoenix, but he was great in Gladiator. I would cast him as that rueful antagonist all the time.
He's a great actor but I'd prefer he start acting sometime soon in movies I'm actually interested in seeing and not "i'm still here". Otherwise, my interest in him and his movies will diminish more than they already had.
Joaquin is that you?