Robert De Niro showed his emotional side on Katie Couric’s talk show recently.

The tough guy actor got all choked up while talking about his film Silver Linings Playbook. Katie asked him if he felt a greater responsibility doing a project that director David O. Russell — whose bi-polar son inspired Bradley Cooper’s character — was “personally invested in.” “Of course, I understand,” De Niro replied. After a long pause, he tried to continue, but then he began to break down. He continued, “I don’t like to get emotional, but I know exactly what he goes through.”

De Niro’s father was believed to be bipolar and suffered from bouts of depression.