Tom Hanks has paid tribute to James “Jim” Lovell, the NASA astronaut he famously portrayed in the 1995 film Apollo 13, following his death at the age of 97. Lovell, best known for delivering the infamous “Houston, we’ve had a problem” line during the ill-fated 1970 Apollo 13 mission, passed away Thursday in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Lovell's "life and work inspired millions of people across the decades," said NASA Administrator Sean Duffy in a statement.

James A. Lovell Jr., the Apollo 13 commander who masterfully navigated a perilous mission after an oxygen tank explosion, passed away at 97. Though he