Actor Chris Hemsworth says he is taking a break from acting after learning he has a heightened risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The Thor star made the discovery after undergoing tests as part of his Disney+ documentary series Limitless.
He told in an interview the tests confirmed his ‘biggest fear’, adding he will now be trying to take ‘preventative steps’.
Alzheimer’s can trigger dementia, resulting in confusion, memory problems, and communication issues.
Hemsworth learned that he has two copies of the gene ApoE4, one from his mother and one from his father, making him between eight and ten times more likely to develop the disease than those without both copies of the gene.
About two to three percent of the population carries two copies of the gene.
Hemsworth said that it is not like he has been handed his resignation but something has really triggered him to want to take some time off.
“If you look at Alzheimer’s prevention, the benefit of preventative steps is that it affects the rest of your life.
“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”.
Chris
The Limitless series sees Hemsworth test his body and explore ways to live longer and healthier.
He explained that he had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but had been warned of the heightened risk.
“It’s not a pre-deterministic gene, but it is a strong indication. Ten years ago, I think it was more thought of as determinant’.
Chris
Hemsworth said the original plan for the series would have seen him receive all his genetic test results live to the camera but series creator Darren Aronofsky told him privately once they got the results.
The Marvel star was subsequently given the option of removing any references to Alzheimer’s from the show but decided to include his genetic risk of Alzheimer’s to improve awareness and understanding.
“My concern was I just didn’t want to manipulate it and over-dramatize it, and make it into some sort of hokey grab at empathy or whatever for entertainment”.
Chris
Hemsworth also confirmed to the magazine his grandfather was currently being treated for Alzheimer’s.
The actor will soon be seen in George Miller’s forthcoming Mad Max sequel Furiosa, which concluded filming earlier this month.
The 39-year-old said he would take a break from acting after finishing the publicity tour for Limitless, along with his other contracted work.
Chris Hemsworth comes face-to-face with ‘own morality’
Chris Hemsworth has just worn his heart on his sleeve and addressed the sudden brush he just experienced with his own mortality.
Hemsworth made his shocking admission about mortality while speaking in an interview. He started by painting the entire moment and claimed:
“Doing an episode on death and facing your own mortality made me go, Oh God, I’m not ready to go yet. 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. Before you know it, they’re 18 and they’ve moved out of the house, and I missed the window.”
Chris
He also went on to say that it really triggered something in him to want to take some time off. And since they finished the show, he has been completing the things he was already contracted to do. Now when he finishes this tour this week, he is going home to have a good chunk of time off and just simply be with the kids, and with his wife.
Before concluding, Hemsworth also explained how for the ‘better part of an entire decade’, he has felt like he is in a sprint for 10 years, and all these moments that were dreamt scenarios would fly by.
There were moments in his life where he felt he should have been stepping back and going but incredibly he instead felt overwhelmed with other kinds of requests and asks and pulled in different directions. He was not really kind of enjoying what was right in front of him.
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