Letterman noted it had been three years since Phoenix was last on his show. "You look different than I remember you," the talk show host said, referring to his new look with a beard and pushed back long hair. "What can you tell us about your days with the Unabomber," Letterman jokes, with Phoenix staring back with barely a smile.
The 34-year-old actor, who appeared in dark sunglasses, recently announced he was retiring from acting to pursue a hip-hop music career. When urged by Letterman to reconsider and return to acting because "there's nobody really better than you are," Phoenix again just looks back at Letterman while giving no response.
At another point, Phoenix said he was currently working on his music and tells Letterman: "I'd love to come on the show and perform," which is followed by cheers and applause. "You know, that seems unlikely," Letterman shoots back in his typical sarcastic style, and then laughs.
Phoenix has little to say when asked about his latest film, "Two Lovers," which he stars in with Gwyneth Paltrow, and seems completely lost when asked to set up a clip from the movie. There has been speculation about whether Phoenix's announced career change is authentic or an attempt to play a prank on the media.
Letterman concludes the interview by telling the actor-turned-rapper: "Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight," which illicits a slightly wider grin from Phoenix, who responds with: "He's funny, he's funny. He's a funny dude." The talk show host is then heard saying, "We owe an apology to Farrah Fawcett," a reference to a rambling and incoherent performance by that actress on his show in 1997.
Photo: Getty Images
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