‘It was horrible’: Joaquin Phoenix returns to The Late Show after disaster 2009 interview

Joaquin Phoenix has returned to The Late Show for the first time since his infamous 2009 interview, revealing it was “one of the worst nights” of his life.

Some 15 years after his most infamous live TV interview, Joaquin Phoenix has revealed the trainwreck was “one of the worst nights” of his life.

The Oscar winner, 50, has returned to The Late Show for the first time since the 2009 saga, when he sat down with then-host David Letterman to promote his parody film, I’m Still Here, where he played a spoof version of himself as someone who retires from acting to pursue a hip-hop career.

Phoenix opted to be in character for the live interview – shaggy hair, sunglasses and all – in what ultimately came across as painfully awkward as viewers and the audience had no idea it was a bit.

The televised stunt garnered widespread press attention, with many fearing the Walk The Line star was in the midst of a mental breakdown.

Now, speaking to current Late Show host Stephen Colbert, Phoenix explained how it all unfolded, reflecting on the media storm with humour while also claiming he majorly regretted the skit.

“When I came on this show with Dave, I originally did the pre-interview in character and I realised that it was just a little silly,” he began.

“So I called them back and I said, ‘Listen, this is what I’m doing. I’m coming out here and I’m doing this whole thing. And I just want Dave to like, lacerate me. I just want it to be really dangerous.’

“That was the kind of intention — I just always wanted to get this reaction and see how I would respond to that. So it was beneficial for no one to know, except when needed.”

Phoenix returned to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

However, Phoenix conceded, “It was horrible. It was so uncomfortable. I regret it, I’ll never do it again. I’m so sorry.”

He continued, “It was strange because in some ways, it was a success, and it was also just one of the worst nights of my life.”

Phoenix did apologise a year later,

The Joker star did apologise to Letterman at the time, appearing on The Late Show several months later.

“I hope I didn’t offend you in any way,” he said at the time.

“You’ve interviewed many, many people and I assumed that you would know the difference between a character and a real person, but I apologise.”

The Oscar winner said he "regrets" the infamous chat.

Moments from the 2009 interview, as well as Phoenix’s apology, later appeared in I’m Still Here, which was released in 2010.

Despite the publicity it received, and a flurry of star-studded cameos, it was a critical and commercial flop.

Meanwhile, Phoenix is on the promo trail for his upcoming western comedy Eddington, which also stars Pedro Pascal, Austin Butler and Emma Stone.

It hits cinemas today, July 18.