Actor-turned-rapper Joaquin Phoenix was left squirming on U.S. TV after talk show host David Letterman grilled him about his new furry beard and burgeoning hip-hop career.

The star hid behind dark sunglasses and chewed gum as he promoted his movie Two Lovers - the last project he filmed before announcing his retirement from Hollywood - on Letterman's Late Show on Wednesday.

Letterman asked the star about his new unkempt facial hair but Phoenix was uncooperative, mumbling one-word answers.

The former actor then discussed his new musical career but grew visibly annoyed when the audience began to laugh, grumbling: "Is this a joke? What (drug) do you have them on? What do you gas them up with?"

And when the house band leader Paul Shaffer laughed at the pair's awkward exchange, Phoenix turned to him and asked: "Are you f---ing kidding? Are you serious with the maniacal laughter?"

Letterman tried to assure Phoenix, insisting: "We're having fun, just relax, seriously! I'll come to your house and chew gum!" - prompting the star to spit out the wad and stick it onto Letterman's desk.

The host concluded the interview by saying: "Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1xK6xz8d9Q

Good grief!!!

Is this guy trying to flush his career?(cuz he's doing a great job of it!)

Is this guy trying to flush his career?(cuz he's doing a great job of it!)
If he keeps this up, it'll happen! What a shame. He proved in Walk the Line that he can sing. Why is he ruining it all?

Ah damn... stupid CBS has taken it down from YouTube. :mad: I really wanted to see it, sounds crazy.

Ah damn... stupid CBS has taken it down from YouTube. :mad: I really wanted to see it, sounds crazy.
It was crazy!

Some people are saying that it's just an act, and it's all for a film role or something. Let's hope so.

Some people are saying that it's just an act, and it's all for a film role or something. Let's hope so.
If it's an act it's an elaborate one considering he built a recording studio at his house!

If it's an act it's an elaborate one considering he built a recording studio at his house!

Well, apparently Casey Affleck is filming all of this for some sort of "mockumentary."

Well, apparently Casey Affleck is filming all of this for some sort of "mockumentary."
Yeah, I heard that, too. Let's hope, because Joaquin does have a history of substance abuse.

I did see a couple clips from Letterman on the E! News. What a weirdo. If this is all an act, I think it's stupid. But I guess it's workingfor Casey Afleck, since it's getting him lots of publicity if that's what they are going for. I suppose we'll see. E! seems to think that when Joaquin took off his glasses and leaned in to whisper something to Dave after his interview he was letting him in on the "joke".

It it turns out to be a prank/hoax, then Joaquin is going to have to do a whole lot of spinning to the media to convince folks long and hard, that he was simply "acting". So really, what's there for him to gain on a positive or beneficial note?

It it turns out to be a prank/hoax, then Joaquin is going to have to do a whole lot of spinning to the media to convince folks long and hard, that he was simply "acting". So really, what's there for him to gain on a positive or beneficial note?


"ACTING"??????????

Like what? A drugged out heroin addict? Cuz that's what it looked like to me! (I got to see it). Even at the end of the "interview", Letterman says, "Well, it's too bad you couldn't be here tonight..."

Strange, strange man - the whole family really from what I've seen are whackjobs to a certain degree.

Here it is. A hoax or a joke excuse is laughable in itself. The guy acted like a weirdo, and I usually like him. Looks to me as if he needs another stay at a rehab. I know drug behavior when I see it, right down to the dark sunglasses to hide those peepers.

http://www.popeater.com/television/article/dave-letterman-joaquin-phoenix-video/340139?icid=200100397x1219166819x1201299098