Famous Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth is taking a break from the industry because of his health condition.
"Thor" actor Chris Hemsworth will take some time away from acting after learning that he has the APOE4 gene, which is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Hemsworth was speaking to Vanity Fair promoting his newest show "Limitless," during the filming of which he made the discovery but did not want to make it a focal point.
“Most of us, we like to avoid speaking about death in the hope that we’ll somehow avoid it. We all have this belief that we’ll figure it out," said the actor. "Then to all of a sudden be told some big indicators are actually pointing to this as the route which is going to happen, the reality of it sinks in.”
He discovered his 'biggest fear' while working on National Geographic‘s docuseries Limitless after interacting with a doctor.
The actor mentioned that while it's not Alzheimer's diagnosis, however, it makes him way more susceptible to developing the disease in future. Hemsworth's grandfather is currently battling the condition.
"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," he added.
Hemsworth explores the complete potential of the human body in the six-part National Geographic television series Limitless, which is currently streaming on Disney+. The episodes are devoted to the science of longevity.
When Disney offered to cut the sequences where Hemsworth learns of his propensity for Alzheimer's, the actor declined. He said, "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."
