He played the astronauts in “Apollo 13”: Tom Hanks mourns the loss of Jim Lovell

The American commander of the infamous “Apollo 13” mission, Jim Lovell, died at the age of 97. A world star with a very special connection to the astronaut now expresses his deep grief – Tom Hanks (69), who embodied Lovell in Ron Howard’s film drama “Apollo 13” from 1995.

The Hollywood star writes: “There are people who lead to dreams and others to places that we would not achieve alone. Jim Lovell, who has been on our planet for a long time and longer in space than any other person, was such a guy.”

Lovell’s space adventure, which led him to the vicinity of the moon, “did not serve wealth or fame”, but a higher purpose for the entire humanity, continues Hanks. He ends his farewell words: “On this full moon night he continues – to the sky, in the cosmos, to the stars. Good trip on this new path, Jim Lovell.”

Director Ron Howard (71) and producer Brian Grazer (74), who brought “Apollo 13” together exactly 30 years ago, also said goodbye to Lovell. This was “a real American hero, whose courage, intellect and grace under pressure inspired a nation” ,.

Howard adds: “Knowing Jim alone was a great honor. His combination of intelligence, courage and a sense of duty made him one of the most remarkable people I have ever met.”

Lovell was the commander of the “Apollo 13” mission shaped by technical problems in 1970, which had to be canceled due to the explosion of a tank in space. “His calm strength under pressure” contributed to “bringing the crew back safely back to earth”, to his death. She also showed his quick thinking that also shaped future NASA missions. He had embodied the determination and optimism of previous and future explorers.