Whoopi Goldberg breaks down on live show during 'emotional' Mike Nichols tribute

Whoopi Goldberg broke down during an episode of her daytime talk show 'The View' while she started to deliver a tribute to acclaimed director Mike Nichols, who died of a heart attack recently.

Goldberg was only able to get a few words out before emotions overtook her and she sat weeping with her head in her hands, as the show's co-host Posie Perez quickly came to her aid, News.com.au reported.

Nichols and Goldberg collaborated on her self-titled 1985 Broadway show, which led to her breakthrough performance in the Hollywood hit The Colour Purple.