Joaquin Phoenix was “a real jerk”

By Alexandra Heilbron on September 30, 2010 | 19 Comments


Joaquin Phoenix says he “wanted out” while shooting the supposed documentary I’m Still Here, directed by his brother-in-law Casey Affleck. The movie follows Joaquin as he apparently ditches acting to launch a rap career, while sporting an enormous beard and unkempt bushy hair. In a befuddled state, he gave an infamous interview to talk show host David Letterman in which he chewed gum continuously and gave monosyllabic answers.

Both Casey and Joaquin admitted earlier this month the film was a hoax. Joaquin insists it took a lot of effort to stay in character. “At some point, it became such a public spectacle,” he told Extra’s Jerry Penacoli. “There were times, honestly, where I wanted out. Even on a conventional film, I’m done after four months. But this went on and on.” Joaquin recently re-appeared on Letterman to apologize for his previous interview. “I wasn’t on the show to make a fool of him. In this film, I think the only person who comes off as a real jerk is me,” he insisted.



Comments & Discussion

  1. Jo-Anne • September 30, 2010 @ 8:13 AM

    to go from Johnny Cash to this is just, in a word, sad….

  2. daisy • September 30, 2010 @ 9:17 AM

    True, but I think he’ll bounce back.

  3. HorneeZomBie • September 30, 2010 @ 9:20 AM

    of course he’ll bounce back, he has more talent than alot of actors these days.

  4. Jodie • September 30, 2010 @ 9:58 AM

    I like him. It was kind of stupid to do that movie, but lesson learned and I hope he moves on from that to do more great work.

  5. frishack • September 30, 2010 @ 11:09 AM

    I’m Still Here is a perverse waste of time. no plot, no direction, no conclusion, no point. I want my iTunes rental $ back.

  6. Jax • September 30, 2010 @ 2:20 PM

    I think he’s great … very talented and extremely handsome!

  7. birdman_36 • September 30, 2010 @ 2:56 PM

    People… he’s calling himself a jerk and saying it was difficult to garner publicity, pique interest and sell tickets!

  8. juden • September 30, 2010 @ 3:50 PM

    Totally agree — another way to get publicity. He’s on my ‘yuck’ list now…

  9. Ken • September 30, 2010 @ 8:44 PM

    Who cares,

    He’s a great actor!! Attempted something original and apologized. Wish people would stop taking things so personally.

  10. Kathleen • September 30, 2010 @ 11:22 PM

    I can’t imagine myself going to see “I’m Still Here”, cause I don’t care for Rap music very much. However, I would go see Joaquin in something else, if he were to make a better movie! I think he`s a really good actor. Like him;think he`s fairly good looking; and has old time “charisma“ about him! More power to him!

  11. Mike soucie • October 1, 2010 @ 12:49 PM

    I met Joaquin one night in a small bar in Toronto and i will always remember it, not because he was a big movie man but more the fact that he was so sweet and polite and sincere, and that wasn’t a show due to the fact that he gave me the name Mark as not to be recognized. he was with Casey his best friend who was a total arrogant dick.
    This new film they made might have backfired but props to trying something new, thats what art is .. an expression of ones self, and not everybody liked Dali. I hope all the really critical people don’t put fear into people who want to take a chance at something new and unique. Peace out Joaq.

  12. Scrappy Coco • October 2, 2010 @ 8:39 AM

    He played the role of a life time. He committed his life (family, friends, public appearence) to playing the role of an actor who basically ‘cracks’ 24/7. Everytime he was out of his house, he had to act…. And to say the least, he did a good job playing that role. I’m not sure why people are putting him down for this. Hes very talented, and kodos should be given to him for keeping up the act for such a long time. He fooled everyone, and has apologized for anyone he may have offended while he was filming. Granted, this obvisouly isn’t for anyone, but this took talent to pull off.

  13. WOW! • October 2, 2010 @ 8:59 AM

    Oh wow mike you met him?…When was this? So he told you his name was mark???…how come…didnt he know you knew who he was? How was the conversation? I always hear about how nice he is but casey I always hear is a total douche!

  14. Mike soucie • October 3, 2010 @ 5:50 PM

    It was actually in a gay bar and he was with Gus van saint and Casey, Joaq knew i knew who he was but others who approached he would give the false name, specially when some drunk stranger started telling him how much they loved his brother River and asking how hard it must of been watching him in his last minutes. quite disrespectful in my eyes, thats his personal shit, but he smiled and changed the subject. he invited me to a party after the bar closed but my girlfriend wouldn’t go. to totally regret not going he was such an interesting person and captivating. One of those great memories.

  15. WOW! • October 4, 2010 @ 9:11 PM

    Thanks Mike! Sounds like an amazing experience! I cant believe that some people would say that to him about his brother! Glad to hear he handled it well! HA! I would have gone to that party with him!!!! Lucky you!

  16. Helen • October 5, 2010 @ 9:42 AM

    Wow Mike, thanks for sharing this story!

  17. "Anthems"=Out Now! • October 5, 2010 @ 10:07 AM

    Ha! 🙂 Ha! 8)

  18. Cheryl • October 7, 2010 @ 2:45 PM

    I’m Still Here, is performance art, and fine performance art at that. To stay in that character for an entire year and a rather unpleasant character at that; Bravo, Joachim. Even the title of the movie is a sly wink to last years ‘I’m Not There’. So refreshing to see someone take an actual risk with film making, a step above boring rom-coms and stupid action movies.

  19. Amarie Mitchell • June 29, 2020 @ 4:46 PM

    Joaquin Phoenix is my most favorite actor in Hollywood industry now, yes I know that he is weird of his interview everything, but he is the sweetest, brave, and Intelligent Person I know about of his movies since Joaquin won a Oscar for best actor in 2020, now I a fan Of Joaquin Phoenix For this moment


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