De Niro breaks down as he discusses bipolar disorder

Veteran actor Robert De Niro choked up while discussing bipolar disorder in connection with his film 'Silver Linings Playbook' on a recent TV interview. The 69-year-old actor was asked by show host Katie Couric if he felt a larger share of responsibility doing a project that director David O Russell was "personally invested in", reported New York Post. "Of course, I understand," replied De Niro. After a long pause, he tried to continue, but then the actor welled up. "I don't like to get emotional, but I know exactly what he goes through," he added. De Niro's father, Robert (same name), was believed to be bipolar and suffered from bouts of paralysing depression. 'Silver Linings Playbook' � and Bradley Cooper's bipolar character Pat in � was inspired by Russell's son who suffers from a mood disorder. "I've had a son who has a mood disorder, which means someone that can have moods that can pull them down the drain and send the home to a tornado in moments." The Oscar-nominated director recalled speaking with De Niro about the "Silver Linings" screenplay in his apartment, where the veteran performer connected to the material very emotionally.