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Joaquin Phoenix Regrets Infamous Letterman Interview Moment

7/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Joaquin Phoenix took a moment on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" to reflect on his infamous 2009 interview with David Letterman, calling it "horrible" and "uncomfortable." He expressed deep regret for staying in character during the promotion of his mockumentary "I'm Still Here," vowing never to make that mistake again. Fans can catch his latest film, "Eddington," when it hits theaters on July 18.

History

Historical Context

Joaquin Phoenix's eccentric appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" on February 11, 2009, drew significant media attention as he promoted his mockumentary "I'm Still Here." This performance, which blurred the lines between reality and fiction, led to a 50% drop in his favorability ratings, highlighting ongoing debates about celebrity personas and media influence in the entertainment industry.

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Story summary

Joaquin Phoenix took a moment on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" to reflect on his infamous 2009 interview with David Letterman, calling it "horrible" and "uncomfortable." He expressed deep regret for staying in character during the promotion of his mockumentary "I'm Still Here," vowing never to make that mistake again. Fans can catch his latest film, "Eddington," when it hits theaters on July 18.

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