Actor-turned-rapper-turned-media-joke Joaquin Phoenix appeared on David Letterman’s late show last night, ostensibly to tout his new (and supposedly last) film Two Lovers. But if Letterman expected an actor who wanted to promote a film, he was in for a bit of a surprise.

True to form, the late night King handled himself with considerable aplomb as Phoenix remained uncommunicative and mumbled into his sizable (and unkempt) beard. “You look different than I remember you,” David Letterman quipped early, eliciting hardly a spark of response from the actor.

“What can you use about your days with the Unabomber?” The host joked, gaining a small smile out of Joaquin.

During his segment, Phoenix remained very quiet and it seemed he was portraying some sort of character - there was something positively Andy Kaufman-ish about him. Throughout, Letterman’s quips and Phoenix’s silences brought laughter from the crowd - the appearance is already being touted as a classic as the video clip whizzes across the Internet.

“I don’t know what’ll happen,” Phoenix answered when asked about his future in film. He stated he would not return to the world of movie-making, but answered “I don’t know” been asked why. “I been workin’ on my music,” he told the host, adding, “I’d love to come on the show and perform.”

“You know, that seems unlikely,” Letterman answered, to the delight of the crowd. “We’ll certainly keep you in our Rolodex,” he promised.

At the end of the interview, Letterman offered up a line that will surely go down in the annals of late night history: “Joaquin, I’m sorry you couldn’t be here tonight.” As Phoenix ambled around, the host called out, “Good luck with your new career.”

If he plans to stick with comedy, Phoenix will no doubt do just fine.