NEW YORK — Joaquin Phoenix returned to the Late Show with David Letterman on Wednesday night, his first visit since an awkward appearance last year that turned out to be an act for his new movie.

"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."

Phoenix led Letterman and others to believe that he was giving up acting for a rap career when in reality he was just putting on a performance for the supposed documentary, I'm Still Here. Letterman told him it was "like you slipped and hit your head in the tub."

"We'd hoped to come on a talk show," Phoenix explained, "and I was looking for a beat down, and I got one ... I want to thank you for that."