Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Is Joaquin Phoenix Mentally Ill?


By

Jen Carlson

Published Feb 27, 2009

Modified Feb 27, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Carlson

Published Feb 27, 2009

Modified Feb 27, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The debate about Joaquin Phoenix's strange behavior as of late continues. Refusing to believe it's a hoax, despite a camera crew following him around for a documentary, the LA Times is going down the mentally ill route. So far the most talked about display of his new bearded, mumbling persona has been from his appearance on Letterman (which just re-aired last night). The psychiatrist the paper talked to said "much of Phoenix's behavior on Letterman hinted at mental illness, such as wearing sunglasses, which may suggest paranoia. 'There is something wrong. And it's beyond drug abuse.' The public should refrain from mocking Phoenix." So basically he's like 0% crazy, 80% beard and 20% sunglasses. MTV News asked Phoenix's publicist about the Doc's diagnosis, which she labeled: "wildly inappropriate."

Tagged

crazy

joaquin phoenix

mental illness


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Person found dead with stab wounds in Queens building, NYPD says

Police hadn't yet named and suspects or identified the victim Friday.

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Nov 6, 2026 at 8:34 p.m. ET


Amtrak's Penn Station plan could funnel taxpayer money to new venue for James Dolan

The federal government's plan to rebuild Penn Station would require the purchase of a theater attached to the west side of Madison Square Garden.

By

Ramsey Khalifeh

News

Amtrak's Penn Station plan could funnel taxpayer money to new venue for James Dolan

The federal government's plan to rebuild Penn Station would require the purchase of a theater attached to the west side of Madison Square Garden.

By

Ramsey Khalifeh


Intoxicated Queens driver killed baby after running stop sign, indictment says

By

Giulia Heyward

Man arrested in NYC on accusations of sexual assault, rape on Cape Cod, officials said

By

Brittany Kriegstein

Service upgrade coming to On The Way: An hour-long radio show on all things NYC transit

By

Stephen Nessen


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .