Gene Wilder, born Jerome Silberman on June 11, 1933, was an iconic actor and comedian known for his roles in classic films such as “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” and “Young Frankenstein.”

[{"selector":"#anim-55d91381-b543-49f3-bed9-99668d122904","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-475fe0b0-1f3c-40c4-a8c9-3a6d88aceeb1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(122.10526%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

He had a distinctive comedic style combined with a deep emotional range that endeared him to audiences worldwide.

[{"selector":"#anim-c45c9c01-3eea-48f5-973d-4616331e1794","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11537ba1-06f2-405d-a493-b9d8f65fab4d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(117.04179%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Harry Connick Jr., born on September 11, 1967, is a versatile musician, singer, and actor known for his jazz performances and acting roles in movies like “Hope Floats” and “Independence Day.”

[{"selector":"#anim-530bb951-ba9a-4d48-9593-78721b42dd64","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d94613c5-a0c1-4cb0-b8eb-48496862272a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.43408%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

He has been celebrated for his musical talent and charming on-screen presence.

[{"selector":"#anim-d22ac470-b255-4a49-a223-4fe1f4538442","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc30ae3c-2f27-49d9-8b47-c134f592b744","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.23810%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Their paths crossed in the 1990s when Harry Connick Jr. was cast in a significant role in the film “Little Man Tate,” which was directed by Jodie Foster.

[{"selector":"#anim-76728312-8117-4f62-83ba-6e0739a73c9a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac0fd4af-6571-4e09-be56-248d7202279d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(117.04179%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Their time working on “The Producers” allowed them to forge a friendship rooted in their shared experiences as performers.

[{"selector":"#anim-c0fc0b35-a937-4c32-954b-60aaf757d461","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-30a3a75d-8cd2-48ac-85ee-1e7b304bf7be","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(116.10737%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":2,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]