Robert De Niro and Stephen Colbert in The Late Show studio

A routine talk show question for Robert De Niro took a political ― and incredibly poignant ― turn during Wednesday’s edition of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

While promoting his new Netflix political thriller Zero Day, the Oscar winner was asked by host Stephen Colbert to name his heroes.

De Niro first listed late actor Marlon Brando and South African leader Nelson Mandela.

But when Colbert pressed De Niro again for an American hero,

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