In Gene Wilder's memoir "Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art," he reflects on a poignant moment from three weeks before his wife Gilda Radner passed away. Gilda approached him one day, sharing a title that struck him as unusual and mysterious: "Kiss Me Like a Stranger." Wilder's feelings about her statement are mixed; he felt gratitude but also bewilderment regarding its significance at that moment.

This encounter encapsulates the depth of their relationship, revealing Gilda's whimsical nature and perhaps her awareness of the love they shared. Wilder's recollection serves as a reminder of the emotional complexities that exist in love and art, particularly as he navigated the profound loss of his partner. The title she suggested later became the name of his book, symbolizing a lasting connection that transcends her passing.