There was a time when Joaquin Phoenix believed only married people received all the audience’s attention. The Sisters Brothers actor is now happily married to Rooney Mara, whom he met on the sets of Her, where she played his wife seeking a divorce. But their romance began four years later on the sets of Mary Magdalene, where both of them played Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
This means that the Joker actor was very much single and uncommitted when he stated in 2014 that he was marrying his yoga instructor. He set the internet forums ablaze, at least for an evening, before retracting his statement the next morning.
Joaquin Phoenix Lied About Getting Married On Television
Joaquin Phoenix appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman to promote his 2014 movie, Inherent Vice. During the interview, The Master actor drops a bombshell, stating that he had proposed to his yoga instructor and that they were getting married soon. Phoenix was demonstrating a yoga pose, which he called “harnessing the log” for David Letterman, and the host asked whether there was more to the relationship between The Immigrant actor and his yoga instructor.
Phoenix didn’t hesitate for a second in coming up with a reply. He claimed they had started dating, and he believed she was the one. The Reservation Road actor told Letterman:
“This is the crazy part of the story. We started dating and I think she’s the one. I… I proposed to her and she said yes. […] Well, I mean if everything works out… But yeah it appears good so far.”
As it turned out, he had outright lied to Letterman, and he confessed to this the next morning on both Good Morning America and Live! with Kelly and Michael. The Gladiator actor explained that the whole lie was to make people like him, as married Hollywood stars receive more love from the audience. The Village actor shared with Good Morning America (via The Hollywood Reporter):
“I think like my life’s so boring, and it seemed like something exciting to talk about, and I wanted the audience to like me. They really like people getting married.”
Fans wondered how Letterman could fall for this, given that it was not the first time Phoenix had played pranks on the Late Show host.
Joaquin Phoenix Had One of The Weirdest TV Interviews With David Letterman
In 2009, Joaquin Phoenix made an appearance on Letterman’s show that gained widespread media attention. In the now-famous (or infamous) interview, the Signs actor appeared totally off, and people began worrying about his well-being. The interview was filled with awkward silences, and Phoenix even talked about quitting acting to start a career in music.
Fans began speculating and the speculations went as far as suggesting that the Irrational Man actor was mentally ill, drunk, or on some kind of drugs. Audiences only got answers almost a year later when it was revealed that the whole spectacle was part of promoting his mockumentary film, I’m Still Here. Phoenix appeared as himself in the film exploring a fictional future where he retired from acting and pursued a career in hip-hop music.
The Buffalo Soldiers actor was in character when he appeared on Letterman’s show. The next film appearance of the Two Lovers actor will be in the upcoming historical drama film, Napoleon, where Phoenix will play the titular role of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Fans can enjoy more of “weird” Phoenix in the movie, I’m Still Here, now available for streaming on Prime Video.
