De Niro Tears Up Talking About 'Silver Linings Playbook' in Interview With Katie Couric (VIDEO)
Hollwyood actor Robert De Niro has teared up on the Katie Couric show in an emotional interview as he spoke about his new movie "Silver Linings Playbook."
Drawing comparisons between his character's son in the movie and his own real life son, who suffers from mood disorders, De Niro became emotional as he attempted to explain how he could relate to the story.
De Niro, 69, and his "Silver Linings Playbook" cast member Bradley Cooper, were on the Katie Couric Show to talk about their Oscar-nominated film. The movie centers around a bi-polar man from Philadelphia named Pat Solitano, who is played by Bradley Cooper.
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In the story, following a violent incident, Solitano is sent away to a mental institution for eight months. He later returns home to live with his father, played by De Niro, who has mild OCD issues.
David O. Russell, the film's director, also has a son with mood disorder issues. He told Couric, "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 them home to a tornado in moments."
De Niro was drawn to the script due to his personal connection with the story. During the interview, Couric asked the Hollywood veteran if he felt a greater responsibility to do a film that he was personally invested in.
Thinking on his own family struggles, De Niro broke down, holding back tears as he forced out: "I don't like to get emotional, but I know exactly what [David] goes through."
The film has earned eight Academy Award nominations; Bradley Cooper for Best Actor, Jennifer Lawrence for Best Actress, Robert De Niro for Best Supporting Actor, David O. Russell for Best Director and the big prize for Best Picture.
De Niro, a double Oscar winner, cemented his place in acting history on Feb 4. by placing his hands and feet in concrete in front of Hollywood's historic Chinese Theatre.
De Niro, 69, gave a short thank you speech with a few punchlines of his own.
"Joe Pesci always said I'd end up with my feet in cement. I don't think this is what he had in mind," said De Niro, referring to the many gangster movies he has filmed over his 40-year career.
Here is a video of Katie Couric's interview with Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper:
