Actor Chris Hemsworth announced that he would be taking a break from acting after discovering that he has a high genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The Marvel star, who plays the Norse god Thor in the franchise’s films, discovered that he has copies of the ApoE4 gene while undergoing tests as part of his Disney+ Limitless documentary series.
The ApoE4 gene is a genetic factor associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most common types of dementia that can cause memory problems and confusion throughout life.
Chris discovered that he had two copies, one from his mother and one from his father. Therefore, he is eight to 10 times more likely to develop the disease than those without the gene.
According to experts, only 2-3% of the population have two copies of the ApoE4 gene.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, the Australian actor said the tests had confirmed his “biggest fear” but explained that he would take preventative measures to deal with the disease.
Hemsworth clarified that he was not handing in his “resignation” but that the news had triggered something that made him want to take some time off.
“If you look at Alzheimer’s prevention, the benefit of preventive steps is that it affects the rest of your life,” he said.
The Thor: Love & Thunder star said he needed to consistently apply a few tools, including sleep management, nutrition, stress management, fitness, and movement.
Although he has not yet been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, specialists warned him about the high risk since the gene is not pre-deterministic but a strong indication, Chris went on.
The new Disney+ series Limitless sees Hemsworth putting his body to the test as he explores different ways to live longer through healthier habits.
The original plan for the show was to capture the actor receiving the results of his genetic tests live. However, Limitless creator Darren Aronofsky spoke to Chris in private to give him the results.
Hemsworth said that he could have removed any reference to Alzheimer’s from the series but decided to speak about it to raise awareness and improve understanding.
The 39-year-old actor, who revealed his grandfather had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, said he would be taking a break from acting after finishing his current work and would travel to Australia to spend time with his family.
