Chris Hemsworth has said he hopes he will be remembered as a "good person" while discussing Alzheimer's in a recent GQ interview.
The Aussie actor, 39, skyrocketed to global fame as Thor in 2011's movie of the same name, continuing with the Marvel Cinematic Universe role - among countless others - over the next decade.
Last year, the Melbourne-born heartthrob sadly announced that he would be taking time off from acting after learning that he was predisposed to Alzheimer's while filming his Disney+ show Limitless.
Hemsworth's bloodwork showed that he had two copies of the APOE4 gene, meaning that his genetic makeup includes two copies of the APOE4 gene – one from his mom and another from his dad. In turn, this means the actor reportedly has an increased chance of developing Alzheimer's in later life.
The actor stated: "It's not like I've been handed my resignation," but he did add that the news made him question where his time was better spent. "It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off [...] I've been completing the things I was already contracted to do. 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. Be with the kids, be with my wife," he said.
Hemsworth also emphasized to his fans: "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."
During his recent GQ interview, Hemsworth discussed the recent death of his 93-year-old grandfather, Martin, who suffered from Alzheimer's. The actor revealed that, at the funeral, many people spoke about Martin with respect. "My uncle specifically said, 'He's remembered as a good bloke.' And if he knew, or if someone told him that's how he would be remembered, how incredibly proud he would feel," Hemsworth told the outlet.
"It made me think about my own life. And it wasn't about career or anything. It was about being remembered as someone who was good and kind and contributed something of value… I certainly don't think about the films I'm going to leave behind and how people are going to remember me in that sense. I hope that people think of me fondly and that I was a good person. That I was a good bloke. Like my grandpa," the Cabin In The Woods actor said.
Alzheimer's is a degenerative condition that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, gradually worsening as time goes on.
