De Niro wept after Obama election win

Robert De Niro was so overjoyed with US president-elect Barack Obama's historic election win in November, he was moved to tears.

De Niro was an outspoken supporter of the Democrat throughout his campaign for the White House, speaking at public rallies to gather financial backing for the politician's election trail.

And the veteran actor couldn't hide his emotions as Obama's win was announced - especially after his producer pal Art Linson started to well up.

He tells Britain's Sunday Times magazine: "He (Linson) cried. It was ridiculous. He cried."

When quizzed if he joined in with his pals tears, De Niro admits, "I did (cry). I did."

And the Oscar-winner is adamant America's future would be at stake if Obama's political rival John McCain and his Republican administration had been voted into office instead.

He adds: "It would have been a disaster for our country, and the world, if it had gone the other way.

Period. Thank God."