Joaquin Phoenix Makes Return Appearance to the Late Show with David Letterman to Promote I'm Still Here

Joaquin Phoenix made his return to 'The Late Show with David Letterman' for the first time since a bizarre appearance on 'The Late Show' in February 2009 where Phoenix sat for 11 minutes in uncomfortable silence and occasional words and grunts. After the initial appearance many were left wondering if the two time Academy Award Nominated actor was on drugs or crazy.

The interview immediately ranked at the top of Letterman's other bizarre interviews with actors like Crispin Glover, Farrah Fawcett and Andy Kaufman.

Last month, ahead of the release of the movie, Phoenix and Affleck admitted the whole movie, and the idea behind it, was a hoax. They also admitted the appearance on David Letterman's show was also part of the hoax, and Actor and Director Casey Affleck's first attempt at 'Gorilla Style' filmmaking.

The return appearance was to promote the pair's new mockumentary film project I'm Still Here which chronicled the life of Phoenix as he attempted a career in the Rap industry after quiting show business in late 2008. The return on the Wednesday night episode showed Phoenix clean-shaven, talkative and very apologetic for 'dragging Letterman and his show into the movie.'

During the interview Letterman addressed the rumor that he and his shows staff knew all along the interview in 2009 was a fake, and they were playing along to help Phoenix with his movie. The rumor started after Bill Scheft, a writer for 'The Late Show,' told Indianapolis alternative newspaper NOVO in 2009 Letterman had been in on the entire act and knew it was a joke interview. Dave asked Joaquin directly, "Was there a script that you and I were working with?" which Phoenix responded immediately with "No."

Joaquin followed up the questioning by telling Letterman, "I mean, I think that you've interviewed many, many people and I assumed that you would know the difference between a character and a real person. I hope I didn't offend you in any way."

After apologizing to Letterman for the way he acted in the interview last year, and possibly offending him, Dave said, "Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no. I wasn't offended. I'm telling you, it was so much fun. It was batting practice, you know what I mean? Every one of them was a dinger."

Phoenix said he had expected to take jabs with his appearance last year, such as his comparison to the Unabomber, saying, "I was looking for a beat down, and I got one... I want to thank you for that."

The appearance on 'The Late Show' also is being used, along with various media outlets, as a chance for both Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck to promote the film, which is already receiving poor reviews and has nearly bankrupted Affleck personally. He sank more than $1 million dollars into the filming of 'I'm Still Here' and to date has made only $250,000 back.

For video of Joaquin Phoenix's Wednesday interview on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' CLICK HERE. For Joaquin's 2009 interview with David Letterman CLICK HERE.