Tom Hanks is remembering Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell, a man whose role in one of NASA’s defining missions the actor once brought to life on screen.

The Oscar winner shared a heartfelt tribute to Lovell, who died Aug. 7 at the age of 97 . Lovell, who was one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the moon, later served as commander of Apollo 13. Hanks portrayed the astronaut in the 1995 film directed by Ron Howard. The famed lunar mission became a defining moment in Lovell's career, showcasing his leadership in the face of life-threatening challenges.

In a post shared to Instagram on Aug. 8, Hanks celebrated the late astronaut for his tenacity, noting that his endeavors into space were not for “riches or celebrity” but for the challenges they posed.

"There are people wh

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