Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, described the discovery as his “worst nightmare,” but insisted that learning he carries two genes that predispose him to Alzheimer’s wasn’t like being “given my resignation.”
After learning that he had “an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” Chris Hemsworth says he will “take some time off” from performing when he concludes the marketing for his most recent show.
The 39-year-old Thor actor learned the news while filming his new documentary series Limitless. A series of genetic tests revealed that the actor had two copies of the APOE4 gene, which has been linked to an increased risk of developing the degenerative brain disorder, from both his mother and father.
Only about 2-3% of people carry both copies of the gene, making them eight to ten times more likely to acquire Alzheimer’s disease, according to a 2021 study.
Although the diagnosis was the Australian actor’s “greatest worry,” he noted, “it’s not like I’ve been handed my resignation.”
The results are seen as a significant indication that the individual may go on to develop the condition, even though they are not in any way deterministic.
Hemsworth told the publication that although the producers had given him the option to choose not to discuss his diagnosis on-air after receiving it off-air, he had chosen instead to share the news with others to “motivate them to take better care of themselves” and draw attention to “preventative steps” available to fight Alzheimer’s.
He mentioned the news “really made me want to take some time off,” he said, adding that he intends to fly back home “to have a significant chunk of time off and just simplify. Be with my wife and the kids “.
Hemsworth and his wife, the Spanish actress, and model Elsa Pataky, have three kids together and reside in Byron Bay, Australia.
The actor did not address whether his dad or brothers, Liam and Luke, who are all famous Hollywood figures, have undergone testing.
In the future, he said, his children, India Rose, 10, and twins Sasha and Tristan, 8, may wish to get tested to discover if they also carry the double gene.
Hemsworth said his grandfather was “a genuinely pleasant guy,” adding, “I’m not sure he actually remembers anything anymore,” and that he was actively battling the illness.
The Mad Max: Fury Road prequel Furiosa and the upcoming Extraction 2 are Hemsworth’s upcoming two blockbuster movies.
The National Geographic television series Limitless, which challenges Hemsworth with impossible tasks like climbing a skyscraper and visiting a death doula, tries to discover the secrets of long life.
Disney+ currently has Limitless With Chris Hemsworth available.
