Two years ago, Chris Hemsworth, 40, was reportedly leaving Hollywood behind to process a shocking Alzheimer’s revelation.
However, this was never actually the case and instead, a bizarre misunderstanding where his planned time off was conflated with a discovery of a genetic risk factor.
While filming his documentary series Limitless for National Geographic, the Thor star underwent genetic testing which revealed he carried two copies of the APOE4 gene.
This gene has been flagged as a marker of risk for developing Alzheimer’s but is not a diagnosis in itself but the story began to spiral.
‘It really kind of p**sed me off because it felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared this,’ he revealed to Vanity Fair.
‘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.’
Alzheimer’s disease is where the brain function deteriorates as cells shrink and die, impacting someone’s memory, thinking, behaviours and social skills.
The VF cover star reiterated that he is not retiring any time soon, having moved back home to Byron Bay, Australia, to spend more time with his family.
His family, including model wife Elsa Pataky and their three kids, relocated down under in 2015 while Marvel-mania was in full swing.
Chris found Hollywood a head trip as he would simultaneously wonder if he was overexposed but not famous enough.
While the Furiosa: Mad Max actor has had an impressive career so far he is looking at taking it all more seriously, as long as he doesn’t turn into an ‘overly self-important pretentious w***er’ in the process.
Despite having his gripes about the Alzheimer’s speculation, Chris did note that there was one ‘really funny’ comment at the bottom of an article.
He shared: ‘I hope Chris forgets he’s retiring and comes back.’
When the Extraction star first got the news, he overhauled his health and focused on his brain rather than brawn – although that’s not to say he’s let go of his six-pack.
Looking back on his blockbuster career so far, Chris also lamented the type-casting he has faced since moving from Aussie soaps to Marvel’s then-fledgling universe.
He felt he was type-cast as the muscly action hero, which often have few internal complexities to work through, except for in Rush and now the Mad Max sequel.
Workouts shifted to target cardio fitness rather than pure muscle building, giving better all-around health results for the God of Thunder.
Previously, Chris has confessed how the news made him think more about his family life and how he wants to soak in the time with his kids.
In 2012, Elsa gave birth to their daughter India, 11, then two years later they welcomed twin sons Tristan and Sasha, nine.
Read the full interview in Vanity Fair.
Real Deal Team
All of us tend to put to much emphasis on work and to little on family.At the end we will regret it. He is doing the right thing !