'Rapper' Joaquin Phoenix makes bizarre Letterman appearance

Phoenix in a video you have to see to believe
Phoenix in a video you have to see to believe

Joaquin Phoenix made a truly messed-up appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman last night in what may or may not be his last appearance as an actor.

During the past few months, Phoenix has insisted he is giving up his acting career to focus on becoming a hip-hop artist. But are we being punked? Hard to tell.

In the video below, Phoenix, heavily bearded and wearing sunglasses, on hand to ostensibly promote his new (and perhaps last?) movie, Two Lovers, appears either distracted or dazed when answering Letterman's questions, and becomes aggitated by the host's good-natured ribbing.

"Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight" David Letterman to Joaquin Phoenix

Chewing gum nervously, he even questions the mental state of the audience (who have been laughing at the awkward 'interview'). When Letterman says, "I'll come to your house and chew gum," Phoenix takes the gum from his mouth and sticks it to Letterman's desk.

After running a cip from Two Lovers, Letterman, in no mood for further antics, says, "Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight."

Check it out and revel in the weirdness.

Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.