Chris Hemsworth stepping back from acting following Alzheimer’s gene diagnosis

Marvel star Chris Hemsworth has revealed that he’ll soon take a step back from acting after he recently discovered that he possesses a rare gene that greatly increases the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Hemsworth made the discovery back in November 2022. During the filming of National Geographic’s Limitless with Chris Hemsworth, the actor underwent genetic testing. He was told by a doctor that he has two copies of the APOE4 gene which means that the Aussie star is eight to ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to the average person. After the news, Hemsworth revealed that his grandfather suffered from the disease so it wasn’t a total shock. In order to find time to implement important preventive steps, the actor is now taking a slight step back from acting.

Speaking of Marvel, the new trailer for Secret Invasion just dropped. The series debuts on 21 June.

In a new report, Page Six claims to have been told by insiders that the actor is taking a slight break from his career. It’s believed that Hemsworth will honour his current commitments. He’s due to star in an untitled Hulk Hogan biopic and reprise his role as Thor in Avengers: Secret Wars - although the latter project isn’t due to release until 2026. Hemsworth is also in Extraction 2, which will be released this year, and Furiosa which is due out next year. Both films are already in post production.

A source told Page Six that after this, “he doesn’t plan to take on many roles because of [learning about his high risk for] Alzheimer’s.” It fits with what the actor previously told Vanity Fair. In an interview after the Limitless episode aired, Hemsworth said, “I’ve been completing the things I was already contracted to do,” adding that he then plans to “go home and … to have a good chunk of time off and just simplify. Be with the kids, be with my wife.”

Hemsworth has two children with wife Elsa Pataky - India, 10, and twins Tristan and Sasha, nine.