Lovell, who Hanks famously portrayed in the Oscar-winning film, died Thursday. He was 97.

Astronaut James Lovell commanded the harrowing 1970 Apollo 13 mission, helping to safely bring his team back to Earth in spite of an oxygen explosion.

Commander of Apollo 13, who rescued his men from a near certain death in space, has died aged 97.

Apollo 13 commander James Lovell died Thursday at age 97