Chris Hemsworth revealed to Vanity Fair that after his press tour for the Disney+ series “Limitless” is over, he intends to take a significant amount of time off from his job. Hemsworth meets with a doctor in the fifth episode of the show, when it is revealed that the “Thor” actor has a genetic propensity for Alzheimer’s disease. The APOE4 gene, which has been linked in studies to an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease, is present in two copies in his genetic makeup—one from his mother and the other from his father, according to Vanity Fair.
Hemsworth is now eight to ten times more likely to develop the condition, despite his claim that “it’s not like I’ve been handed my resignation.” Alzheimer’s disease has recently been identified in Hemsworth’s granddad.
“I’m not sure he actually remembers much anymore and he slips in and out of Dutch, which is his original language,” Hemsworth said. “He’ll be talking [in] Dutch and English and then a mash-up and then maybe some other new words as well.”
Referring to Hemsworth’s personal predisposition diagnostic he said: “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.”
Hemsworth’s discovery of his inherited propensity for Alzheimer’s during the filming of “Limitless” also prompted him to meet with death doulas in preparation for the series finale and face his impending mortality. Hemsworth claimed that each of these encounters motivated him to take a break from performing.
“It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off,” Hemsworth said. “And since we finished the show, I’ve been completing the things I was already contracted to do.” many of the projects are due for release in 2023.
“Now when I finish this tour this week, I’m going home and I’m going to have a good chunk of time off and just simplify,” he added. “Be with the kids, be with my wife.”
Films starring Hemsworth include George Miller’s “Furiosa,” a prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road,” and Netflix‘s “Extraction 2.” The actor claimed that Disney gave him a cut-down version of “Limitless” but he was keen about keeping the diagnosis.
“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,” Hemsworth said. “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.”
Featured Image Credit: Disney+
