Joker star Joaquin Phoenix 'embarrassed' by out-take during Jimmy Kimmel interview

Joaquin Phoenix appeared mortified on the show. Video / Jimmy Kimmel Live / ABC

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has been slammed for apparently embarrassing Joaquin Phoenix during an interview.

Phoenix appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote the Joker movie, which is now in cinemas.

Towards the end of the interview, Kimmel seemingly surprised the actor by playing an out-take from the movie which he claimed was sent to him by director Todd Phillips, news.com.au reports.

In the out-take clip, Phoenix is shown snapping at a crew member for "whispering" on set.

"The constant whispering, just shut the f*** up, dude," Phoenix can be heard saying. "I'm trying to find something real."

He also says, "I know you started the f***ing Cher thing, Larry … making fun of me. Like I'm a f***ing diva. It's not even an insult. Cher, really? Singer, actor, dancer, fashion icon — how's that a f***ing insult?"

When the clip finished playing, a clearly uncomfortable Phoenix said, "This is so embarrassing".

The actor appeared to be genuinely mortified as Kimmel pressed him for details about Larry and what made him snap on set.

Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker in the film, which is out in cinemas. Photo / AP

"Look, sometimes movies get intense because there are a lot of people in a small space and you're trying to find something," Phoenix said.

"That was supposed to be private. I'm embarrassed, I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry you guys had to see that," he said to the studio audience.

The actor also apologised to Larry who according to Deadline is Joker director of photography, Lawrence Sher.

"I am sorry but he did whisper constantly while we were trying to work … it was wrong of me, I'm sorry, but he shouldn't have done it," Phoenix said.

After the interview aired in the United States, viewers slammed Kimmel online for humiliating Phoenix on his show.

Just watched the interview with joaquin phoenix on the jimmy kimmel show and it made me so mad .. so bad for that show to air that clip and catch him off guard like that. Let me tell you it’s so annoying when people talk on set (I haven’t ever sworn at anyone tho) lol

— Madeline Duggan (@maddiedugx) October 2, 2019

I have no idea why Jimmy Kimmel would think it was a good idea to play that clip of Joaquin Phoenix. That was awful.

— zenfulie (@Zenfulie) October 2, 2019

It's entirely possible however that the out-take and Phoenix's reaction was a sketch and that the actor was in on it the whole time.

As we know he does have form in this department. In 2009 Phoenix made headlines around the world with a bizarre appearance on David Letterman's talk show. It was later revealed to be a spoof that featured in his mockumentary I'm Still Here.