Ben Affleck pays his respects to spy who inspired hit film Argo

Cape Town - Ben Affleck has paid his respects to the real life man he portrayed in his Academy Award winning espionage film, Argo.

Former CIA technical operations officer Antonio “Tony” Mendez inspired the script for the 2012 historical drama. 

He died on Saturday after a battle with Parkinson's disease, he was 78-years-old.

Affleck paid tribute to Mendez on Twitter, writing: "Tony Mendez was a true American hero. He was a man of extraordinary grace, decency, humility and kindness."

SEE THE TWEET HERE:

Tony Mendez was a true American hero. He was a man of extraordinary grace, decency, humility and kindness. He never sought the spotlight for his actions, he merely sought to serve his country. I’m so proud to have worked for him and to have told one of his stories. #RIPTonyMendez

— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) January 20, 2019