Phoenix Apologizes to Letterman

A polite and clean-shaven Joaquin Phoenix appeared on the Late Show With David Letterman Wednesday and apologized for his his shambolic 2009 appearance that turned out to be part of an elaborate hoax. "You've interviewed many, many people and I assumed that you would know the difference between a character and a real person, so—but I apologize," Phoenix told Letterman. "I hope I didn't offend you in any way."

Letterman said no offense was taken, comparing the chance to poke fun at Phoenix to batting practice. "Every one of them was a dinger," he said. Phoenix, at Letterman's prompting, said that, contrary to reports elsewhere, Letterman had never been in on him and Casey Affleck's hoax and the host hadn't been working from a script the last time he appeared on the show. Click here for more on Joaquin Phoenix.
(More Casey Affleck stories.)