Haute 100 Update: Robert De Niro Breaks Down in Tears While Discussing Bipolar Disorder

Robert De Niro couldn’t contain his emotion while appearing as a guest on Katie Couric‘s daytime talk show on Monday. The 69-year-old actor came on the program to discuss the hit film “Silver Linings Playbook” with director David O. Russell and co-star Bradley Cooper, but broke down in tears while describing the film’s premise.

In the Oscar-nominated flick, De Niro portrays the father of a man who suffers from Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder “I don’t like to get emotional, but I know exactly what he goes through,” De Niro says through choked sobs.

Russell said he drew inspiration for the film from his own son, who suffers from the same mental illnesses that effect Cooper’s character. As with many mental health disorders, family members often suffer just as much as the afflicted individual. “There’s nothing harder in life than when you can’t, can’t figure out what to do,” he admitted. “You try everything, and you must never stop. Your heart just has to keep growing.”

Check out the touching interview below!