Chris Hemsworth Discovers A Predisposition For Alzheimer’s On New Show
By Movieguide® Contributor
While working on a new show, Chris Hemsworth has made a serious discovery — he is at an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Hemsworth’s latest project is LIMITLESS, a Disney+/National Geographic show where the actor explores different ways to combat the aging process and lengthen his life.
During one episode, Hemsworth learns that he has two copies of the APOE4 gene, one from each of his parents. This means he has an increased predisposition for developing Alzheimer’s.
“They took all my bloodwork and did a bunch of tests and the plan was to on-camera tell me all the results and then talk about how you can improve this and that,” Hemsworth said of the experience.
“Peter Attia, who is the longevity doctor in that episode, and overseeing a lot of the show, called [LIMITLESS creator] Darren [Aronofsky] and said, ‘I don’t want to tell him this on camera,” the actor continued. “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.”
Hemsworth said he “didn’t really know what to think” about the news: “I was like, ‘Am I supposed to be worried? Is this concerning?’”
The actor also said that his work on LIMITLESS “became even more relevant and important for me, even more poignant than I ever thought it would be.” He also said that the APOE4 gene is “not a pre-deterministic gene, but it is a strong indication. Ten years ago, I think it was more thought of as determinant.”
The show’s producers asked him if he would rather not address the blood test in the episode, but Hemsworth was adamant they talk about it.
He explained, “I thought, ‘No, look, if this is a motivator for people to take better care of themselves and also understand that there are steps you can take – then fantastic.’ My concern was I just didn’t want to manipulate it and overdramatize it, and make it into some sort of hokey grab at empathy or whatever for entertainment.”
He also shared how this news has given him a greater appreciation for his family, and how he wants to step back from his career and spend more time with them.
“Doing an episode on death and facing your own mortality made me go, ‘Oh God, I’m not ready to go yet,’” he explained. “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 house, and I missed the window.”
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