Jim McDivitt was an American astronaut and actor who is best known for his role as Commander in the Gemini 4 and Apollo 9 space missions. Born on June 10, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, he became a prominent figure in NASA’s space exploration history.
Personal and Family Life
Jim McDivitt was married twice. His first marriage was to Patricia Ann Haas in 1956, with whom he had four children. After their divorce, he married Judith Ann Odell in 1985, and they remained together until his death in 2022. His parents were James Alton McDivitt Sr. and Margaret Mary Maxwell, and he had a sibling named Charleen Mary McDivitt.
Astronaut Career
McDivitt joined NASA and became known for commanding the Gemini 4 mission where Edward H. White II performed the first American spacewalk. He also commanded Apollo 9, where he conducted tests with the lunar module, notable for separating and re-docking in orbit. His contributions to space exploration include becoming the command module pilot in missions that paved the way for future lunar landings.
Death and Legacy
Jim McDivitt passed away on October 13, 2022, in Tucson, Arizona. His legacy is remembered in both the fields of space exploration and entertainment, having also appeared in various television programs. His achievements in NASA have inspired generations of astronauts and space enthusiasts.
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| The Brady Bunch | 1974 | Brigadier General Jim McDivitt |
| Beyond Belief | 1976 | Self |
| Mysteries from Beyond Earth | 1975 | Self |
