Chris Hemsworth has opened up about his genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease, and the public reaction to the news.
While working on the docuseries Limitless in 2022, the Thor star took a number of genetic tests, which revealed that he is likely to be diagnosed with the disease.
According to the NHS, Alzheimer’s is a progressive condition, with symptoms mainly including memory loss, confusion, disorientation, problems with speech and language, and hallucinations.
The show revealed that Hemsworth carries two copies of a gene closely associated with Alzheimer’s, meaning he is eight-to-10 times more likely to suffer from the condition.
The news reportedly coincided with the actor taking some time off, which led some fans to believe the two were connected. Now, in a new interview with Vanity Fair, Hemsworth has opened up about the experience.
“It really kind of pissed me off because it felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared this,” he said. “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 and so on.”
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Hemsworth then recalled seeing a witty comment online related to the news of his predisposition: “I did read a really funny comment at the bottom of one article: ‘I hope Chris forgets he’s retiring and comes back.’”
Back in 2022, the actor discussed the news with Vanity Fair, explaining how it was not a diagnosis but a “strong indication”.
“It’s not like I’ve been handed my resignation. 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,” he said.
However, the actor did suggest at the time that the revelation may have led to his decision to take time off. “It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off… 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.”
In other news, the Avengers: Endgame star has got a new film with Anya Taylor-Joy coming to theatres on May 24, titled Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
The movie serves as a prequel to 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, which NME gave a four-and-a-half star review, describing it as “packed with epic action sequences”.