Tom Hanks remembers Apollo 13 hero Jim Lovell after death at 97

Tom Hanks has honoured Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell, praising the late astronaut's courage and extraordinary life.

Tom Hanks has paid an emotional tribute to James ‘Jim’ Lovell, the Apollo 13 commander whose daring space missions made history. Lovell, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 97, famously led the near-catastrophic 1970 lunar mission that inspired the Oscar-winning 1995 film Apollo 13, in which Hanks portrayed him.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, the 69-year-old actor described Lovell as ‘the kind of guy’ who dared to go where others wouldn’t. “Jim Lovell, who for a long while had gone farther into space and for longer than any other person of our planet, was that kind of guy,” Hanks wrote. “His many voyages around Earth and on to so-very-close to the moon were not made for riches or celebrity, but because such challenges as those are what fuels the course of being alive.”

 

 

 

 

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Hanks added a poetic farewell: “On this night of a full moon, he passes on, to the heavens, to the cosmos, to the stars. God speed you, on this next voyage, Jim Lovell.”

Director Ron Howard, who brought Apollo 13 to the screen, also paid his respects. Sharing archival images and behind-the-scenes shots, Howard called Lovell “one of the most remarkable individuals I’ve ever met” and praised his “intellect, courage and commitment to duty.” The former Navy test pilot took part in four historic spaceflights, Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13 and became a symbol of resilience in the face of crisis.

Hanks has previously joked about wanting to join a lunar mission, imagining himself as the crew member responsible for keeping spirits high with food, humour and stories. But for millions, his portrayal of Lovell remains the definitive cinematic tribute to the man whose calm leadership brought his crew safely home.

Lovell leaves behind a legacy not only of space exploration, but of inspiring generations to look to the stars with courage and curiosity.