Joaquin Phoenix isn't always keen to promote his work or private life.
So when he actually does sit down to talk about what he's been up to, the result is
often either shocking or bizarrely funny.
Here are some of the most uncomfortable Joaquin Phoenix interviews ever.
Getting caught in a lie
Phoenix isn't particularly friendly when he gets caught in his own web of lies, as proven
by a 2007 phone interview with Time Out New York.
At the time, he was promoting the crime drama We Own the Night.
When asked about reports that he trained with a fire academy for his role in the 2004 firefighter
thriller Ladder 49, he suddenly blew up, yelling,
"I just said that because I thought it would sound good to the press.
I don't know why it seems to be of note that actors do any kind of preparation.
It's just what you're supposed to do in your f---ing job.
Do you think because you did some research you deserve some special credit?"
Before anyone could say anything else, Phoenix then slammed the receiver down, definitely
getting his annoyance across.
Perhaps he couldn't shake off the intensity after wrapping We Own the Night, as he's known
to get very invested in the roles he plays.
It's something that his co-star, Robert Duvall, can attest to.
Speaking to New York Daily News, Duvall admitted to calling Phoenix, quote, "whacko," due to
Phoenix's tendency to tease him to the point of irritation.
Hating interviews but loving hugs
Joaquin Phoenix certainly isn't shy about admitting when he's not having a good time.
When he isn't in a jovial-enough mood to flat-out lie to interviewers, he'll at least make it
clear that he definitely has other things he'd rather be doing.
In a 2004 chat with Shortlist's Tom Bailey, he declared,
"I f---ing hate interviews…I honestly don't know how people perceive me.
I don't really give a s---!"
Bailey described Phoenix as having "curled lips" as he smiled to himself, so you can't
help but wonder if he enjoys watching those around him squirm as he makes such bold statements.
His nonchalance is definitely real, as he finished the chat with some honesty.
When asked if he still hates interviews, he laughed, noting,
"The way I see it, our jobs are at odds with each other and always will be.
But don't be too sad.
Don't cry.
Here, give me a hug."
Bailey agreed to that hug, which lasted about five seconds, much to the shock of anyone
reading.
Hurting his own career
The awkwardness that results from Phoenix's blunt mannerisms isn't always painful just
for his interviewers.
Sometimes, he also puts himself through torture.
He shocked the world in 2008 when he announced that he was retiring from acting, which was
a total surprise considering that his career appeared to be on a significant hot streak.
Speaking to Extra reporter Jerry Penacoli during a Paul Newman benefit, he declared,
"I want to take this opportunity...to give you the exclusive and just talk a little bit
about the fact that this will be my last performance as an actor...I'm not doing films anymore."
Penacoli was genuinely shocked and probed further to ensure that Phoenix was serious.
The actor assured him,
"Yeah.
I'm working on my music.
I'm done.
I've been through that."
Although, as everyone later found out, this was part of an elaborate hoax for the mockumentary
film I'm Still Here.
Phoenix also admitted years later that he was embarrassed by all the fake press.
Speaking to author Bret Easton Ellis during a New York Times interview in 2017, the actor
called his mockumentary work, quote, "terribly humiliating."
Even worse, the whole performance appeared to have hurt his career for a short period,
as he revealed that he struggled to find meaningful work for two years after the worldwide publicity
stunt.
"So what's the next move?"
Not all there with Letterman
The most famous incident during the filming of I'm Still Here was Phoenix's unforgettable
interview on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2009, which sparked millions of head scratches
throughout the country.
From the second the actor stepped on stage, viewers knew something was off.
Sporting dark sunglasses, a beard, and a general disheveled look, he barely spoke the whole
time, giving a series of one-word answers and mumbles.
As Letterman purposely prolonged the silence in some instances, the audience couldn't help
but awkwardly laugh, causing the actor to even blurt out at one point,
"What do you, what do you have them on?"
"I'm sorry?
I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"What do you gas them up with?
Is this nitrous kicking around?"
After I'm Still Here finally came out, Phoenix returned to The Late Show and apologized to
Letterman.
"But I apologize.
I hope I didn't offend you in any way."
"Oh no!
Oh no, no, no, no!
I was not offended.
I'm tellin' ya, it was so much fun."
Don't Joke about this
Controversy plagues the role of The Joker whenever he appears in a new Batman flick,
and Phoenix's turn as the Clown Prince of Crime in 2019's Joker was no exception.
So you can imagine his frustration when Telegraph reporter Robbie Collin decided to ask him
whether or not his performance in Joker would inspire real-life copycats.
The actor sputtered out a few words before getting up and leaving.
After some peace-keeping with Phoenix's PR rep, he returned, though the question remained
unanswered.
A similar situation arose during an interview with IGN.
Keeping his cool more than usual, Phoenix said that he could see how the film could
be, quote, "fuel" for an already unstable person, while noting that people can't live
their lives based on the fear of possible negative consequences.
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