Jim Lovell, legendary NASA astronaut and Apollo 13 commander, dies at 97

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS: James “Jim” Lovell, the celebrated Apollo 13 commander whose quick thinking turned a near-disaster into one of NASA’s most remarkable survival stories, has died at the age of 97.

NASA confirmed that Lovell died on Thursday, August 7, in Lake Forest, Illinois, honoring him as a figure of “steadfast courage” whose work advanced America’s space program and inspired millions. Before becoming an astronaut, Lovell served as a US Navy captain, later joining NASA in its early years and becoming one of the agency’s most traveled astronauts.

An official cause of death has not been released.

NASA remembers Jim Lovell for his courage and leadership

“NASA sends its condolences to the family of Capt. Jim Lovell, whose life and work inspired millions of people across the decades. Jim’s character and steadfast courage helped our nation reach the Moon and turned a potential tragedy into a success from which we learned an enormous amount. We mourn his passing even as we celebrate his achievements,” the statement from NASA read.

Lovell’s family, while requesting privacy, announced in a statement, “We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved father, USN Captain James A. ‘Jim’ Lovell, a Navy pilot and officer, astronaut, leader, and space explorer.”

They praised his “legendary leadership in pioneering human spaceflight” and said they were “enormously proud of his amazing life and career.” To them, however, he was simply “Dad, Granddad, and the leader of our family… our Hero.”

The family said they would miss his unwavering optimism, humor, and ability to make each person believe they could achieve the impossible, calling him “truly one of a kind.”

Jim Lovell's leadership saved Apollo 13 crew

Jim Lovell’s career included four missions, Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13, but it was the Apollo 13 mission in 1970 that etched his name into history. He was chosen to lead Apollo 13, a mission intended to be NASA’s third successful crewed landing on the Moon.

En route to the Moon, an oxygen tank explosion crippled the spacecraft, forcing Lovell and crewmates Fred Haise and Jack Swigert to use the lunar module as a lifeboat for four frigid, tense days. Though he never set foot on the lunar surface, Lovell described the mission as a “success” because it showcased NASA’s ingenuity under extreme pressure.

The incident was later depicted in the 1995 film ‘Apollo 13’, with Tom Hanks portraying Lovell and delivering the iconic line, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.”

Born in Cleveland on March 25, 1928, Lovell studied at the University of Wisconsin before graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1952, marrying his wife Marilyn the same day.

The couple had four children, and Marilyn died in 2023. In later years, Lovell reflected that surviving the Apollo 13 mission gave him a new perspective on life — one that made him less fearful of crises.

Although he admitted some disappointment at never walking on the moon, he took pride in the mission’s outcome and the respect it earned him. In 1995, President Bill Clinton awarded him the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, praising his calm leadership and enduring contributions to space exploration.

Tom Hanks pays tribute to Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell

Tom Hanks shared a heartfelt tribute to Jim Lovell on Instagram on Friday evening.

“There are people who dare, who dream, and who lead others to the places we would not go on our own,” Hanks wrote.

“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. 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 — and who better than Jim Lovell to make those voyages,” he added. 

“On this night of a full moon, he passes on — to the heavens, to the cosmos, to the stars. Godspeed you, on this next voyage, Jim Lovell,” the actor concluded. 

‘Apollo 13’ filmmakers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer remember 'true American hero' Jim Lovell

‘Apollo 13’ director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer also paid tributes to Jim Lovell, the Apollo 13 mission commander whose real-life story inspired their acclaimed 1995 film. 

“Jim Lovell was a true American hero whose courage, intellect, and grace under pressure inspired a nation,” Grazer said in a statement, according to Deadline. “He was not only a legend in space exploration, but also an incredibly generous, kind, and inspiring man. Thank you, Commander Lovell, for showing us the best of what we can be.”

Howard honored Lovell, writing, “Rest in peace, Commander Lovell. Simply knowing Jim has been a tremendous honor. His combination of intellect, courage, and commitment to duty made him one of the most remarkable individuals I’ve ever met. His support of our movie-making efforts inspired authenticity and elevated our process in so many ways. Thank you, sir, for your service to our country and to humankind.”