Robert De Niro can’t hold back the tears as he gets emotional discussing Silver Linings Playbook (Picture: Katie Couric)

Robert De Niro broke down in tears on TV as he discussed the bipolar and mood disorders that challenged him in his latest role in Silver Linings Playbook.

The usually tough-guy actor was discussing the hit film with director David O. Russell and co-star Bradley Cooper on Katie Couric’s day time talk show on Monday.

When asked about how he related to the movie – about Cooper’s bipolar character trying in vain to fit in – the Oscar winner began to cry.

‘I don’t like to get emotional, but I know exactly what (Russell) goes through,’ he told Couric.Russell, who was inspired to write the film because his son suffers from bipolar disorder as well as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, confirmed that the 69-year-old had related deeply to the movie.De Niro said he knows exactly what director David O.Russell goes through (Picture: Katoe Couric)

‘I thought he was having hay fever, then I realized he was having an emotional reaction.

‘I sat there and watched Robert De Niro cry for 10 minutes and I said, “Wow he’s really connecting with this material and this would be beautiful thing if it could work out, because I think his heart would be there” and it is there.’

Silver Linings Playbook is nominated for eight Academy Awards.