It seemed like a random pairing for a duet.
But Stephen Colbert and Emmy-Award winning actor Patrick Wilson stepped up to the plate to sing The Star-Spangled Banner before the Mets vs. Yankees baseball game at Citi Field in New York City.
And as the old baseball saying goes: they hit it out of the park.
Unusual pairing: Stephen Colbert and Patrick Wilson sung the national anthem at the Mets vs. Yankees baseball game in New York City
Anyone who follows Wilson’s career knows he has some real vocal chops ― he has starred in Broadway musicals and the 2004 film version of Phantom of the Opera.
Audiences who have watched Colbert on The Late Show are also familiar with seeing him belt out a tune or two during some of his skits, but no one seemed to expect such a rendition.
Colbert, 54, posted video of the song on his Instagram with the caption, ‘PLAY BALL! us with Patrick Wilson.’
Boo birds: Some of the tough New York crowd booed the pair when they were announced
Reaction to the performance has been been overwhelmingly positive with comments like, ‘Wow, you guys crushed it!!!’ and ‘Wow great job guys.’
The pair were announced to some scattered boos from the tough New York fans, but within a few bars of the song it was apparent this was no joke.
By the time they got to the finale you could feel that they had won over the crowd as the boos that rang out at the beginning turned to a rousing cheer as they ended on a high note ― and it got even louder once when they finished.
At that point, the men turned to each other with a big smile on their faces and shook hands.
Real talent: Colbert and Wilson belted out some tasteful harmonies, did great phrasing and sounded confident and strong throughout
Winning them over: The crowd went from boo birds to cheers by the finale of the song
Colbert and Wilson kept it real casual and sporty in the fashion department.
Both wore a Mets jersey, in honor of the home team on this night, with black pants. Colbert added a sports-styled jacket with an American eagle logo and USA on the back of it.
The comedian originally studied to be a dramatic actor, but became interested in improvisational theatre while attending college and first gained national acclaim as a reporter for the news-parody series The Daily Show.
He eventually would leave to host The Colbert Report, and then go on to replace David Letterman on The Late Show.
Wilson, 44, spent the early years of his career starring in Broadway musicals, beginning in 1995.
He went on to be nominated for two Tony Awards for his roles in The Full Monty and Oklahoma, and is well-known for his roles in the films Insidious and The Conjuring.
Musical men: Colbert and Wilson embraced with a handshake and a hug after rousing duet
Pride: The comedian waved thank you to the New York fans after singing the national anthem