Noted actor Chris Hemsworth, known for wielding Thor's mighty hammer, is facing a new kind of battle. The actor recently spoke about his fears and insecurities surrounding a predisposition to a genetic disease.
In a recent Interview with The Guardian, during his promotional tour for Crime 101, he opened up about his initial hesitation to share about his genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease, which includes two copies of the gene APOE4. The actor revealed feeling distressed about sharing his vulnerabilities and how audience might view him as a leading man. Hemsworth reflected on balancing between personal transparency and his public persona stating, ''I wondered if I was letting people too far in,” he noted. Hemsworth further shared, “Are they no longer going to believe in the action star or the Marvel character? And do I want people to know my fears and insecurities to this level?''
He shared about his genetic disease in 2022, in the episode of his series Limitless on Disney+ (JioHotstar in India) which starred the Extraction actor had a check up with his doctor who diagnosed him that his genetic disease includes two copies of the gene APOE4, that studies have linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The actor also revealed that his grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and his father is currently battling the disease.
Ever since his father's diagnosis, Chris Hemsworth is taking a more mindful approach to his career. ''My appetite for racing forward has really been controlled in,'' he shared with the publication. The actor's priorities have shifted, and he is now focusing on taking roles that feel personal, rather than just chasing paychecks.
“I’d think, ‘I came from nothing. Who am I to turn down that kind of money?’ Justifying things that weren't the purest creative decision,'' he said, highlighting his past mindset. His documentary, A Road Trip to Remember, follows his father's diagnosis and it was this project that brought him closer to his dad.
While Hemsworth has been open about his own genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s, he took issue with media spinning the story, suggesting he'd definitely develop the disease. ''It really kind of pissed me off...No matter how much I said, 'This is not a death sentence,' the story became that I have dementia and I'm reconsidering life and retiring,'' he told Vanity Fair.
Hemsworth's upcoming film Crime 101, directed by Bart Layton, is scheduled for release in theatres on February 13. The actor will also be seen returning as Thor in the much-anticipated Avengers: Doomsday from Russo Brothers, which hits theatres on December 18.
The actor proved himself as a versatile adventurous performer in his acting career. He is also famous for his notable roles in Extraction (2020) by Joe Russo, 12 Strong (2018) by Nicolai Fuglsig and Ron Howard's In the Heart of the Sea (2015). Some of his remarkable crafts are; Ron Haward's Rush (2013), Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) by George Miller, Bad Times At The El Royale' by Drew Goddard.