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Chris Hemsworth Discovers He’s at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Chris Hemsworth, known for playing Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, told Vanity Fair that he’s taking a break after finding out from genetic testing that he’s at risk of having Alzheimer’s Disease.
Chris Hemsworth announced that he will be taking a break from acting after finding out that he’s at risk of getting Alzheimer’s Disease. The actor made this announcement during an interview with Vanity Fair.
The revelation came after he finished doing the documentary series Limitless for the National Geographic Channel. The Australian actor, who is married to Elsa Pataky, has three children.
Chris Hemsworth on discovering he might be at risk
In the interview, Chris said that while it was not a hard diagnosis, the discovery allowed him to take a step back and do some checking on himself. He also said that the doctor, Petter Attia, didn’t initially want to tell him the results in front of the camera.
“Peter Attia, who is the longevity doctor in that episode, and overseeing a lot of the show, called [show creator] Darren [Aronofsky] and said, ‘I don’t want to tell him this on camera. We need to have an off-side conversation and see if he even wants this to be in the show.’ It was pretty shocking because he called me up and he told me,” Chris shared.
The Extraction actor mentioned that the rate was around 8 to 10 times more likely in developing the condition. He also reveals he was not exactly surprised about the results, given that his grandfather has the condition.
“I haven’t seen him in a few years. But my other family members have. And there are some days when he’s quite joyful and gives you a big hug. But my mom was saying he’s just a really friendly guy. I’m not sure he actually remembers much anymore. And he slips in and out of Dutch, which is his original language. So he’ll be talking Dutch and English and then a mash-up and then maybe some other new words as well.”
Chris Hemsworth on getting healthy
The discovery gave Chris more determination to get healthy.
“If you look at Alzheimer’s prevention, the benefit of preventative steps is that it affects the rest of your life. When you have a preposition to cardiovascular heart disease, cancer, or anything—it’s all about sleep management, stress management, nutrition, movement, and fitness. It’s all kind of the same tools that need to be applied in a consistent way.”
When asked if his kids understand what he did, Chris said it was unlikely but that if they do get tested, he’s welcome to it.
“I don’t think they could have grasped the concept or have the understanding. So no. But again, as you said, it’s not like I’ve been handed my resignation and this is what it is—and it’s up in a few months. It’s not quite that situation, thankfully. One day I’m sure I’ll bring it up. They probably want to test themselves and [find out,] ‘Are you in the category that’s going to be sensitive to this or not?’” he said.
Some time off
Having recently finished the prequel to Fury Road with George Miller, Chris has been contemplating stepping back from acting and taking a break. While doing an episode of the show, it made him reflect on spending time more with his children.
“I want to sit and be in this space with a greater sense of stillness and gratitude. And then you start talking about kids and family and going, ‘Oh my God, they’re getting older. They’re growing up and I keep slapping another movie on top of another movie,” he said. “Before you know it, they’re 18 and they’ve moved out of [the] house, and I missed the window.”
“It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off. And since we finished the show, I’ve been completing the things I was already contracted to do. Now when I finish this tour this week, I’m going home and I’m going to have a good chunk of time off and just simplify. Be with the kids, be with my wife.”
Chris, however, said that acting still excites him. And he’s looking forward to many possibilities while taking time off.
“It does excite me. I’m going to recharge now and just not be so focused on the future—and what’s next? And what else is coming? And what haven’t I done? I’m in a state of, not passive, but a little more surrendering to [the idea that] things are as they are. I don’t mean that in a sort of apathetic way. But there’s a stillness to my thinking about it all now.”
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