Tom Hanks pays tribute to Jim Lovell, the real-life astronaut whose ill-fated moon mission was recounted within the 1995 film Apollo 13. Lovell handed away on August 7, 2025 on the age of 97.
Two-time winner Hanks missed out on a Finest Actor Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Lovell, however Apollo 13 was nominated in 9 different classes, together with Finest Image (profitable in a pair of technical classes).
The ebook Misplaced Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13 by Lovell himself, together with Jeffrey Kluger, served as the premise for Apollo 13’s script, with Ron Howard within the director’s chair. Invoice Paxton and Kevin Bacon starred alongside Hanks, enjoying the astronauts who accompanied Lovell on a famously disaster-ridden 1970 journey into area.
Lovell’s passing on the age of 97 prompted Hanks to publish a stirring tribute to the Apollo 13 astronaut, typing his inspiring phrases on one in every of his beloved vintage typewriters, and posting it on social media (by way of Tom Hanks/Instagram):
There are individuals who dare, who dream, and who lead others to the locations we’d not go on our personal. Jim Lovell, who for an extended whereas had gone farther into area and for longer than every other individual of our planet, was that type of man. His many voyages round Earth and on to so-very-close to the moon weren’t made for riches or movie star, however as a result of such challenges as these are what fuels the course of being alive – and who higher than Jim Lovell to make these voyages. On this evening of a full Moon, he passes on – to the heavens, to the celebs. God pace you, on this subsequent voyage, Jim Lovell.
What This Means For Hanks And Apollo 13
Apollo 13 is only one of many initiatives about twentieth Century American historical past to contain Hanks. The actor additionally starred within the WW2 movie Saving Personal Ryan, whereas starring in and directing one other WW2 film in Greyhound. Hanks served as a producer on WW2 sequence Band of Brothers, The Pacific and Masters of the Air.
Hanks’ explorations of the area age transcend Apollo 13, as he each starred in and produced the miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. From his many history-related initiatives, it’s apparent Hanks has deep respect for the heroes of America’s previous, and that comes out once more in his tribute to Lovell.
Apollo 13 certainly stirred lots of feelings in audiences, and Hanks himself was deeply moved by the expertise of constructing the Oscar-winning movie, recounting to the ReelBlend Podcast the emotions that overpowered him whereas listening to the film’s rating being recorded.
I used to be on the recording stage for Apollo 13, for James Horner’s recording of the “Re-entry into Earth” sequence. And I may solely take heed to it as soon as. Since you hear the dwell orchestra, and then you definately see it enjoying up on the (display screen). I may solely hear it as soon as as a result of I burst into tears. It was so highly effective and so heavy. Afterward, you see how additionally his theme for the launch was so crammed with majesty and hope and gravitas.
Our Take On Hanks’ Many Historic Film Roles
Hanks hasn’t solely executed deadly-serious motion pictures about American historical past. He was hilarious as washed-up ballplayer Jimmy Dugan within the based-on-fact baseball film A League of Their Personal. He additionally starred in and directed a lighthearted, fully fictionalized tackle the Nineteen Sixties music scene with That Factor You Do!.
Hanks additionally doesn’t focus solely on the distant previous, having starred in motion pictures about more moderen happenings. Captain Phillips forged him as a ship’s captain taken hostage by Somali pirates, whereas Sully had him painting an airline pilot who turned hailed as a hero after efficiently ditching a stricken airliner within the Hudson River.
Hanks generally looks like Hollywood’s official caretaker of American historical past. Not solely has he acquired a few of his most memorable roles by works of historic fiction, he’s additionally given again by utilizing his clout to assist historic motion pictures and TV exhibits get made.
Hanks’ Lovell tribute sees him performing in his capability as a keeper of America’s cultural reminiscence, whereas sharing private emotions for the person he portrayed in Apollo 13.
Apollo 13
8/10
Launch Date
June 30, 1995
Runtime
140 Minutes
