It was an emotional day for many dealing with the loss of writer/director Mike Nichols, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 83.

Whoopi Goldberg, who considered the Academy Award winning director her mentor as well as a close friend, attempted to talk about Nichols during Thursday morning's episode of "The View." During her tribute to him, however, Goldberg became overwhelmed and broke into tears.

"This morning," Goldberg began, her voice clearly shaking as her grief took over. The comedienne's co-host Nicolle Wallace quickly asked Goldberg, Want me to do it?"

Wallace proceeded to step in as Goldberg quietly sobbed.

"This morning news broke that entertainment pioneer Mike Nichols died suddenly of cardiac arrest while at home with friends and family," said Wallace.

"Whoopi has a hard time putting into words, which is why I'm doing it for her," added Wallace, getting emotional as well. "This man meant the world to her."

Co-host Rosie O'Donnell then explained to the audience that Nichols discovered Goldberg working as an unknown "downtown street artist."

According to O'Donnell, Nichols told young Goldberg, "You got something, kid."

"He said, 'Let's do a show,'" continued O'Donnell. "They put it together and he gave her the entire beginning of her career and recognized her brilliance before anyone else."

"The View" then ran a clip of a 2012 episode during which the co-hosts talked to their mentors.

Regaining enough steadiness to speak, teary Goldberg explained, "We did a show last year where we brought in our mentors. Mike is my mentor."

In the clip, Nichols describes the first time he saw Goldberg, which was after a comedy show.

"I wanted to meet you and I went backstage and, this had never happened to me before or since, you opened the door and I burst into tears and we fell into each other's arms," Nichols told Goldberg with a smile.

Nichols work included iconic films such as "The Graduate," "Working Girl," and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." He was also known for his success in theatre, television, and comedy. He was one of a select few members of the entertainment industry to have earned an EGOT: Emmy, Golden Globe, Oscar, and Tony. Goldberg has achieved that impressive feat as well.

The fourth co-host on the panel, Rosie Perez, later added, "Outside of bringing you to us, Whoopi, Mike Nichols brought so much to the world. He will be deeply missed. And our hearts go out to Diane Sawyer."

Sawyer, of course, was Nichols' wife. He also leaves behind three children, Daisy, Max, and Jenny, as well as four grandchildren.