Joaquin Phoenix’s flat-footed appearance on Wednesday night’s “Late Show with David Letterman” had the audience laughing as the actor let Letterman’s pointed, mocking questions 
go unanswered.
But maybe Phoenix is angling to have the last laugh with his professed retirement from acting to take up a career in hip-hop music?
Even though he has insisted in interviews with Reuters and others that he is not trying to fool anyone, some people are wondering if the whole thing is an elaborate put-on.
Wearing dark shades and a suit, Phoenix seemed unable to answer Letterman’s question about why his is quitting acting after ”Two Lovers,” which opens on Friday.
”It’s not really an easy thing to explain, it’s something that’s been a part of my life for a long time. It’s weird to like come out on stage in front of a bunch of other people and just talk about it,” Phoenix said.
At other times during the 10-minute interview, Phoenix stuck his gum under Letterman’s desk, swore at the show’s band leader Paul Shaffer, claimed ignorance that his latest movie is loosely based on a story by Fyodor Dostoevsky and changed the subject of his quitting acting to ask about Letterman’s cut thumb.
Oscar-nominated Phoenix’s new bearded appearance has taken fans by surprise. Remarking on the new look, Letterman asked him, “Can you tell us about your days with the Unabomber?,” a reference to a murderous and bearded U.S. radical who lived in the woods and grew a beard.
Phoenix’s response was merely to dust off his suit.
While many viewers thought Phoenix was just plain loopy, celebrity Web site TMZ.com got suspicious. In a blog post entitled “Letterman Falls for Joaquin Sideshow”, TMZ suggested that Phoenix’s goal is to pretend “he’s quitting acting to become a rap star — even though his singing sucks — and showing how the media will fall for it.”
It could be that , as he says, Phoenix is simply tired of acting. In the meantime, he has become the butt of jokes. Ending his interview with Phoenix, Letterman remarked, “Joaquin, I’m sorry you couldn’t be here tonight.”
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I knew River and I met Joaquin a couple of times and they were both beautiful people. I think Joaquin is still a beautiful person and he’s also SMOKIN HOT!!! I just think Joaquin is still fighting with the fact that his bro died in front of him outside the Viper Room. Why don’t we just leave Joaquin alone and let him do what he wants, it makes him happy then let him do it. I will always love Joaquin and I’ll be behind him 100%. I also keep River in my heart cause I will always love him; cause he was such a beautiful person, and so is Joaquin. I LOVE YOU ALWAYS JOAQUIN!!!
- Posted by CyndiHe might have “retired,” but he is still behind a camera.”
- Posted by Martha C.S.Joaquin likes to take roles as the odd man out, but that works for him as an actor so this interview with Letterman might complement his career
- Posted by Joeps. or he is playing his part of TPTB (urban survival / web bot, lingo) master plan … to distract from the financial raping of the American tax payer ???
Well ? … it is a distraction, of more important issues ?
In Canada,
We love the American Constitution !!
In a pure (human/nature point of mind) way …
the US Constitution,
(minus the arguments about \’words\’ complete, (see \’Corporate/Bankster\’ (4th amendment) interpretation) meaning(s))
is an amazing structure !!
Arguably,
one of the Greatest pieces of Human Architecture !!
We (in Canada) need your help, and you (in USA) need ours. We are brothers and sisters and TPTB will try and hold us apart, listen to your intuition ))
Joaquin\’s actions could be described as many things, perhaps, things just aren\’t as they seem ?
Peace Love Light Truth
- Posted by Greb Bear; -)
(- ;
The man is an amazing (beyond a doubt, unbelievable // completely believable, to a “great” many) artist …
probably because, he is able to tap into the infinite …
He is the brother of a dead phoenix,
Legend (& my intuition) says there is only ‘one’ Phoenix,
one dies so another ‘one’ may rise …
What does ‘Joaquin’ mean in other languages ??
Will Joaquin perish soon(ish), as his brother ?
Is Joaquin the rising Phoenix ?
We will all need to seriously consider the lyrics of Joaquin’s rap … one way, or, the other way …
You know what I mean, eh??))
sincerely,
- Posted by Greb BearGrebs
Peace Love Light Truth
; -)
(- ;
To me Phoenix is just being disrespectful. Just watch his first appearance with Letterman, did Letterman change?! Why do you accept to appear on a comedy show if you’re not willing to talk at all?! So now Phoenix thinks he figured it all out?! Just respect everyday people who go to work every single day and try thier best to earn thier living… THIER BEST man, not thier worst. Is that what too much money does to people?!
This act is a child’s act and he should be ashamed.
- Posted by JawI agree with Mike, I could see Joaquin trying very hard not to laugh. Dave was amazing! What timing, if he was not in on the gag I think it was the first time I really thought Letterman was funny. Anyway, Joaquin is a brilliant actor (emphasis) on ACTOR! I think this is a great joke on the media.
- Posted by TamiYou guys are all idiots!!
It’s the greatest act he’s ever played… he is filming a mockumentary, the appearance on Letterman is part of it.
- Posted by You Morons!Posters here are all wrong and obviously uneducated lemmings for the most part.
He has paranoid schizophrenia, end of story.
- Posted by BenIf you want to see someone making fun of the audience, watch anything by Tony Clifton (aka Andy Kaufman). Watch the film “Man on the Moon”.
To understand Joaquin, you need to know that some actors immerse themselves in the character for the duration of the film. Viggo Mortensen carried his sword EVERYWHERE while making Lord Of the Rings. People love Daniel Day Lewis for the way that he “becomes the character”. Even these guys struggle to shut it down when the film ends.
Joaquin has failed to “turn off the character” after his last film. Someone needs to tell him that the shooting schedule has ended. He can go back to being himself now. But what if Joaquin doesn’t want the role to end? What if he’d rather be this role than be himself? What if he can’t turn it off?
Reminds me of “Being John Malkovich” with the title character retiring from acting to pursue his life-long dream of puppetry. How many voices are inside his head…
- Posted by EricBI don’t think he was acting. I think he’s losing it. If he’s on a low fat diet or has vitamin B12 deficiency he could be suffering from mental illness.
- Posted by PaulI read he did the same in 2000, so it might actually be old news
- Posted by CaminskyIf Joaquin was high… he needs help ASAP that is a person in serious trouble. If he was acting…”Same on him” for mocking a serious disease that kileed his brother. Regardless what the issue was Joaquin needs to have a good look in the mirror and get his act together.
- Posted by Clare W. KavinIt’s totally an act. There’s a couple of points, where Phoenix is fighting back a smile. At times he looks like he’s trying too hard, to not break character. Pretty good though, I must say. He has most of America fooled. You can bet the farm, it’s an act.
- Posted by MikeAs a writer/director, I can’t wait to see what becomes of him so I can write and shoot a film about it. $$$$$$$
- Posted by DennisWhen I saw the Letterman clip the first thing I thought was a) drugs b) mental breakdown c) a and b. Many say it is an act Joaquin Phoenix is putting on and is so well that is better than what I thought. All I hope is that he is okay, my same hope for all, and that he has supports around him for what ever is happening in his life whether it is an act or a life change. Take Care.
- Posted by AmandaThe stint on the Letterman show was funny but I think he maybe into drugs. I mean look at his brother River…
He’s an AMAZING actor and a lot of AMAZING actors have problems….James Dean & River Phoeniz. History repeats its self.
Although I maybe wrong but I just have a gut feeling… :-/
- Posted by McCueWhatever are you a blooming idiot? Joaquin is a genius, Gladiator, Walk the line, Clay Pigeons. The only thing I can figure is maybe he is deep undercover research for a fim. Maybe not. He coud just really be that person off film. Have you ever watched a video of Michael Madsen in an interview? He is completely different then I expected. He is not the raspy voiced cool and collective guy he is on film.
- Posted by Sneaky MommaI agree with the poster about Rick Rubin. Fits the image perfectly. Joaquin likes to become the role he’s playing. I recall stories that people around him were worried about him because he was so into his role as Johnny Cash that he was apparently having alcohol problems and becoming distant. Part of his process of being such a great actor is to become the role.
- Posted by TomI absolutely think he was acting. It just really comes off as a joke. Even before I read the article or saw any coverage, it felt like a joke. He’ll probably be on in a couple of weeks to laugh at everyone who believed it.
- Posted by D