The motion picture American Sniper was released to a nationwide audience in January and has been nominated for six awards, including: Best Actor, Best Picture, Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Best Writing.
In an exclusive interview with Forged, Taya Kyle --- the widow of Chris Kyle, to whom the movie pays tribute --- shared her thoughts and feelings on American Sniper, as well the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.
You must be somewhat excited and yet saddened to share your and Chris's story, the trials and tribulations of having and raising a family in a wartime scenario, without Chris there to share it with you. How are you holding up?
I am so grateful that we have been able to share a part of our lives with others who are healing through seeing it one step removed from their lives. There is a common thread amongst veterans and first responders and their families. To be able to help the dialogue is such a blessing. I love being able to share more of Chris with the world. I miss him dearly, as do so many others. To have a group of extraordinarily talented people bring the story forward was a gift, to have it well received is still stunning in a beautiful way.
How involved were you and Chris with the initial discussion of making a movie? Bradley Cooper has said that he called Chris on the phone to introduce himself and talk about the movie.
Chris definitely felt good about Bradley playing him. Bradley has depth and humor along with great talent. He went so far above and beyond what I feel anyone else would have done. It couldn't have been a better match.
Were you on set at the movie? What was your working relationship with Sienna Miller who portrays you in the movie?
I didn't go on set for a number of reasons. From what I understand, portraying a real person is hard enough, having family watch you do it can be very distracting. In addition, I was very passionate about the accuracy of our lives being portrayed - flaws and all. Screenwriter Jason Hall did more than he had to do in order to communicate everything I felt and there really wasn't any additional benefit to me being there.
Sienna Miller is an amazingly talented actor and a beautiful person inside and out. We hit it off instantly. She has tremendous emotional intelligence combined with great skill. She understood the emotion when we talked. She FELT what I was telling her in a way that was palpable. We laughed together and cried together as we talked about my marriage and our life. I cannot say enough positive things about her. She had to work quickly to pick up mannerisms and dialect and did it beautifully.
How was it working with Clint Eastwood?
Clint Eastwood is an extraordinary human being. He too has such a witty sense of humor and tremendous heart. He is not afraid to put raw reality on the screen and let audiences take away whatever they choose to. He allows viewers to experience things and have their own conversation afterward. I appreciate that immensely.
Tell us more about the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation and how it came about. Share with us how Chris found the passion to help other veterans. (CKFF)
In January, before he and Chad were killed, Chris was working on a logo that represented his heart. Club Red was a company who he shared his tattoos and ideas with. In March, they came to me and offered to complete the logo at no charge. They also offered to help create a board for a foundation. At the time, I was overwhelmed with work on the movie script, finishing Chris's book American Gun and grieving while raising my kids who were also grieving. I didn't know how I could do a foundation justice, but I welcomed the help with hope for the future. I prayed a lot and I feel God put all the right people in the right place to make the foundation a reality. It requires a lot of money and time to do it right. I found that out along the way. With the amazing team we have, I am in awe of what we have been able to accomplish in what feels like a short amount of time. I couldn't have done it without the people surrounding me who have picked up the ball and run with all their skill and talent to help veteran and first responder marriages. Our mission is to Serving God and Country by serving families who serve. We are so grateful for all of the support we have as audiences understand the toll and the importance of supporting these families. We want them to not only survive their service, but to thrive while serving.
By allowing Warner Brothers to tell Chris's story in 'American Sniper' - and the initial success of the movie at the box office, do you see this affecting your short or long term plans for the Foundation and its programs?
Absolutely. The understanding is pivotal in getting people engaged if they feel led to help.
How can the Forged® audience and others get involved with CKFF?
Sign up at ChrisKyleFrogFoundation.org to get updates on what we are doing and opportunities to be involved going forward.
How do you want Chris best remembered by those who didn't know him?
My passion for Chris was rooted in his humble heart and the way he served others including our family with his charismatic personality, sense of humor and big ole heart. He was an amazing friend, father and husband. As for how he is remembered, perhaps Chris said it best in January 2013 when he said, "I would love for people to be able to think of me as a guy who stood up for what he believed in and helped make a difference for the veterans"
As the provider of American Sniper official licensed merchandise and proud supporter of the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, Forged® continues its commitment in supporting the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. For every purchase of American Sniper or LEGEND apparel --- for yourself or as a gift --- a donation will be made to the Foundation. In doing so, you’ll not only enjoy the high-quality lifestyle clothing that only Forged can offer, but you’ll also be supporting the families of service members and first responders who conquer adversity through life’s everyday battles.
I would recommend everybody going to see American Sniper this weekend, we are so blessed to live in this country and to have soldiers like this to call our own. A great movie I think everybody should support. Americans love God, military, patriotism . Bradley Cooper, Clint Eastwood, and Chris Kyle, made American Sniper an extreme success. Thanks to this website we can show our support by purchasing these wonderful T-shirts. Thanks to Taya as well, she is a strong woman. Jasper Karp from Tyler Tx.
I wanted to Thank you Forged for having this interview and Thank you tays for sharing Chris with the world. I am so sorry for yours and the children’s loss but I hope you know that there are so many of us grateful for his service. He is and always be a hero in our eyes. You are in my thoughts and prayers and for the future forget the loses that talk bad about Chris. They are all jealous and most have never even tried anything and have no understanding of both your sacrifices. Big hugs to you and the kids and lots of prayers that you can keep going strong. You are an inspiration.
I read American Sniper Memorial addition, it was GREAT, especially, the personal letters,& accounts!!! Even though I never had the PRIVILAGE, of meeting Chris Kyle, Taya, and family , I feel as if I know them, through both the BOOK,& MOVIE,!!! MAY GOD CONTINUE HIS BLESSING UPON YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY!!!
God bless the Kyle family and God bless our vets.Thank you for sharing your story Taya.
Taya,
I just wanted you to know that you have incredible strength and I applaud you. I have read both of Chris’s books (Ameican Sniper & The Life and Legend of CK ) and have seen the movie twice. He is and will always be a great American, true patriot, and a Legend. As his killer’s trial begins I hope you will still be able find peace within your spirit and not have to suffer your loss and heart break all over again. God bless.
I was proud to jump om the chance to make my first purchase when Forged first started their The Legend campaign. I served 7 years in the Army, my son Chris only served 8 months before he was critically wounded in Iraq and now my 17 year old daughter, who enlisted in the Army Active Reserves in Aug 2014 is only a few months away from boot camp shortly after her graduation from High School. I never had the honor of meeting Chris but I have known many brave men and women in all the uniforms of the United States military as well as our allies. Taya, Forged and the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation will always be able to not only count on our donations but can count on my family always spreading the word. God Bless you Taya for the sacrifices that YOU have made.
Taya,
I just wanted you to know that you have incredible strengtht and I applaud you. Chris that his atooks (Ameican Sniper & The Life and Legend of CK and have seen the movie twice. He is and will always be a great American, true patriot, and a Legend. I applaud Mrs Kyle for her incredible strength,
I would like to thank Taya and Forged for working together to continue to help our veterans, first responders and their families. Knowing I was going to be out of the country when American Sniper was released nationally I flew to New York City to see it during its limited release and it was worth every penny and four days in New York.
Taya and Marcus you have both given so much to our country, if we could ask for one more thing? Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates for the next election? We need you.
Thank you for all you have done, I wear my Forged and Legend clothing proudly.
Lisa
Taya is as amazing of a person as her husband was, I pray for their family often, God bless her and her family, the people at Forged, and all those that serve to defend this country, thank you.
I love your commitment and how inspiring you are. Being a wife, a service member, a mother, along with my husband that also serves, it can be a struggle. Thank you for being such an amazing woman. The movie was so full of emotion. thank you again for also being a hero like your amazing husband. I don’t think he could have been any more proud and God couldn’t have given him a better wife!
I have bought several items for myself and family memebers. I can’t express, enough, my gratitude for Chris’s service & all the lives that he saved…over there & here. My daughter was a Family Readiness Officer for the USMC Air Wing, and her husband is a Major in the Marine Corps. I share your family’s passion for our great country & all our military that put their lives on the line for us. I also, because of what my daughter’s duties were during the war, understand what it does to the families. Please know that Chris was one of the biggest hero’s of our time. I wish you & your children all the happiness in the world. Thank you, Chris
Chris is/was motivating. My way of thinking is the same as his. It wasn’t the killing, it was the saving. It was dedication to country, to brother and sister is what matter. His legacy will be his support of veterans. Being there, listening, understanding, and teaching them. Most importantly defending them. He is a hero. A motivator. A lengend.
Chris said it best in January 2013 when he said, “I would love for people to be able to think of me as a guy who stood up for what he believed in and helped make a difference for the veterans”
Make a shirt that says “Stand up for Veterans”
May god continue to bless you Taya. Yours and Chris’s story is amazing. Thank you for sharing it with all of us
I just gotta say, that AMERICAN SNIPER is the BEST movie I’ve seen! Not for just the obvious reasons, but for the ones that become evident when you see it for the second and third time. Its hard to describe the feelings that emanate from that screen. The Hollywood Elitists are terrified of this movie! The “numbers” are breaking all records at the box office!
My challenge to every person in this country is to see American Sniper three times. Make the time and investment to show Hollywood that patriotism is ALIVE and well in the United States of America! Do it soon! The media can not ignore the record breaking numbers. This movie was just what this country needed!
Chris Kyle, you are a true Patriot! And to Clint Eastwood, THANK YOU! And Bradley Cooper, what an inspiring performace! PLEASE share this message EVERYONE!!
Taya, you must be very proud of Chris for his dedication to what he believed. I am a Vietnam veteran, who also loves God, Country and Family. It was good to hear those words come from Chris. There are many of us patriots who feel the same about honor, duty and service. I share your grief for having lost a great American. God bless you and your family and I thank you for Chris and your sacrifice. Sgt. USMC, Semper Fi
I find myself on a lunch break, reading this interview, with tears running down my face, grieving for Taya, the children, Chad and his family, not ever meeting them ,but knowing in my heart that my life and family are better because of their sacrifice. Thank you Forged for sharing!
As a veteran of OEF 13-14 I was excited when the movie was going to come out. I had read the book while deployed and felt that it was important for the general public to see what so many go through during war. The struggles of the actual war, and the struggles of the wives and families left to fend for themselves while warfighters fight for freedom and their loved ones. Good job showing that!!
I’m not a fan of Hollywood involvement with SEALs. But, if ever there was a good choice it is the Kyle family story. I look at this as not Chris Kyle’s military story told in a vacuum, but of the whole person with his family. Wearing a uniform impacts not just the person, but also his family, and it’s time the whole story was told. God bless Taya for giving so much of herself, both in her marriage and now to the American public. Civilians just don’t get it. It’s beyond their life experience and they are incapable of feeling the depths of emotion, sacrifice and hardship made by people who serve and their families. Thanks to Taya working with Chris on his biography and following through after his death Americans now have the ability to dig a little deeper and grasp the bigger picture. Always grateful to those who serve (especially fond of the Navy), I am thrilled to hear friends without military connections now say, “I just didn’t understand. Now I get it.” They finally grasp the meaning and level of sacrifice made by so many unknown for God and Country. A special thanks to Taya for sharing her most personal thoughts and feelings enabling the rest of us to glimpse a day in the life of a military family, and especially that of a SEAL. “Thank you” to the brotherhood of SEALs who stand by and support the Kyle family, while continuing to serving America. And another “thank you” to Forged for stepping up to raise money for the Kyle family, and for sharing this interview.
I read the book 4 times and have seen the movie twice. I own 2 Legend shirts and donated $100 to the foundation—-All in memory of Chris and in honor of my son, Antony who is on his first deployment in the Navy and hopes to apply for BUDS on his return. He was a firefighter before joining the Navy so has always been in service to people. Thank you for a great book and movie. Hope it wakes people up to whats going on. I am a Blue Star Mother-we send out 2000 care packages a year and meet our troops at the airport on their return from deployment. Its my honor to do all I can.