Chris Hemsworth 'taking time off' after learning he is predisposed for Alzheimer's disease

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By stefan armitage

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Chris Hemsworth is "taking time off" from acting following a concerning health update.

The 39-year-old Marvel star has opened up about recent health screenings as part of a Disney Plus docuseries called Limitless.

In the show, Hemsworth works with experts and loved ones to take on a series of "immense challenges" that push him "to new limits". Throughout the show, the Thor star strives to discover how humans can live longer and healthier lives.

Check out the trailer for the series below:

However, while filming the National Geographic series, Hemsworth was subject to a series of health tests and screenings to determine his own well-being. And in the fifth episode of the series, it is revealed that the actor's bloodwork has shown that he had two copies of the APOE4 gene.

Per IGN, this essentially means that Hemsworth's 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.

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Credit: AFF / Alamy

Speaking about the results, Hemsworth stressed: "It’s not like I’ve been handed my resignation." Nevertheless, it has led to the actor questioning his own mortality, as he explained:

"It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off. And since we finished the show, 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."

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."

Speaking to Vanity Fair about how the show's creators navigated the startling news, Hemsworth revealed: "I was offered a version of the episode where we didn't talk about it, and for the exact reason you are mentioning now, 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."

size-large wp-image-1263178957
Credit: Sipa US / Alamy

The Spiderhead star added: "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."

Vanity Fair later added that Hemsworth would be given the test results on-camera and the footage would be used in the episode - but this was changed given the nature of the results.

We wish Hemsworth the very best at this time.

Limitless is available to stream on Disney Plus now.

Featured image credit: Sipa US / Alamy

Chris Hemsworth 'taking time off' after learning he is predisposed for Alzheimer's disease

vt-author-image

By stefan armitage

Article saved!Article saved!

Chris Hemsworth is "taking time off" from acting following a concerning health update.

The 39-year-old Marvel star has opened up about recent health screenings as part of a Disney Plus docuseries called Limitless.

In the show, Hemsworth works with experts and loved ones to take on a series of "immense challenges" that push him "to new limits". Throughout the show, the Thor star strives to discover how humans can live longer and healthier lives.

Check out the trailer for the series below:

However, while filming the National Geographic series, Hemsworth was subject to a series of health tests and screenings to determine his own well-being. And in the fifth episode of the series, it is revealed that the actor's bloodwork has shown that he had two copies of the APOE4 gene.

Per IGN, this essentially means that Hemsworth's 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.

size-large wp-image-1263178956
Credit: AFF / Alamy

Speaking about the results, Hemsworth stressed: "It’s not like I’ve been handed my resignation." Nevertheless, it has led to the actor questioning his own mortality, as he explained:

"It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off. And since we finished the show, 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."

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."

Speaking to Vanity Fair about how the show's creators navigated the startling news, Hemsworth revealed: "I was offered a version of the episode where we didn't talk about it, and for the exact reason you are mentioning now, 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."

size-large wp-image-1263178957
Credit: Sipa US / Alamy

The Spiderhead star added: "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."

Vanity Fair later added that Hemsworth would be given the test results on-camera and the footage would be used in the episode - but this was changed given the nature of the results.

We wish Hemsworth the very best at this time.

Limitless is available to stream on Disney Plus now.

Featured image credit: Sipa US / Alamy