Chris Hemsworth Reveals The Fear He Had About His Alzheimer's Risk Revelation

Chris Hemsworth has revealed the personal struggles behind his decision to go public about his heightened risk for Alzheimer's disease.

He carries two copies of the APOE4 gene, inherited from his parents, which increases his likelihood of developing the condition. The Marvel star was initially hesitant to share such private information, as he worried it might affect how audiences see him.

While the gene is not determinative, the experience has shaped how Chris Hemsworth approaches his career, lifestyle, and roles.

Hemsworth has opened up about his initial reluctance to go public with his increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, admitting he worried the disclosure could affect how audiences see him on screen.

In an interview with Variety published Wednesday, the Marvel star reflected on the moment he debated sharing such personal health information.

"I wondered if I was letting people too far in," he said. "Are they no longer going to believe in the action star or the Marvel character? And do I want people to know my fears and insecurities to this level?"

The 42-year-old actor revealed in 2022 that he carries two copies of the APOE4 gene, one inherited from each parent, which significantly raises the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's.

He has since spoken candidly about his family's history with the disease, noting that both his father and grandfather were affected.

While there is currently no cure, Hemsworth stressed that the gene does not guarantee he will develop the condition.

"It's not a pre-deterministic gene," he explained. "But it is a strong indication. Ten years ago, I think it was more thought of as determinant."

Hemsworth expressed frustration at how some media outlets spun his revelation. In a 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, the "Extraction" actor said the narrative quickly spiraled into speculation that he was facing an inevitable diagnosis or preparing to walk away from acting altogether.

"It really kind of p-ssed me off because it felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared this," he said. "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."

The experience has influenced how Hemsworth approaches his career. After his father's diagnosis, he became more selective with projects, choosing roles that resonated creatively rather than purely financially.

"I'd think, 'I came from nothing. Who am I to turn down that kind of money?" Hemsworth stated in relation to his big-budget movie roles. "Justifying things that weren't the purest creative decision – but I'll be able to pay for my parents' house, or I'll be able to help out my cousins."

One of his most personal projects is the 2025 documentary "A Road Trip to Remember," which chronicles his father's journey with Alzheimer's.

Hemsworth described the film as an emotional tribute. "It was a love letter to my father," he said. "It empowered him for a period, and stimulated memories that were being taken away from him."

Following his genetic discovery, Hemsworth has also made intentional lifestyle changes.

In a 2023 interview with Men's Health, he shared that he scaled back heavy weight training in favor of cardio and endurance-focused workouts, along with prioritizing better sleep and cold exposure practices like ice baths.

That same year, Hemsworth stepped away from acting temporarily, stressing that the pause was about balance, not retirement.

During a chat with Sky News in 2025, Hemsworth discussed learning he was a double carrier of the APOE4 gene, noting that the discovery greatly impacted him.

"It was just kind of this point in my life where up until your 40s, you're kind of gathering data and information, and it's all reactionary, and then you get to a point where you think, oh, some of this sort of identity that I've sort of built doesn't hold true anymore," the Marvel star noted.

He continued: "There's some inner sort of protest or inner voice that has a deeper need to understand, and there's deeper questions and what is the purpose and the why behind what I'm doing ... and what am I seeking, what am I contributing, as opposed to just what I am collecting."

According to Hemsworth, the discovery changed the way he saw life and pushed him to work towards a healthier life and spend more quality time with his loved ones.

Despite the challenges, Hemsworth's career remains active. He will star alongside Halle Berry in the upcoming crime thriller "Crime 101," directed by Bart Layton.

Based on Winslow's novel, the film follows a series of meticulously planned jewelry heists along the Pacific Coast, initially attributed to Colombian cartels, until one sharp detective uncovers the surprising truth.

The Aussie actor is also preparing for his 12th appearance as Thor in the next Marvel installment, "Avengers: Doomsday." Acknowledging the growing physical demands of the role, he told "The Graham Norton Show" that he trains six to seven days a week to stay in shape and maintain his mental well-being.

"When I am Thor, I just eat more," he said, adding, "Everything hurts a bit more now I am 42, but it is fun, and I love it. It's a blessing to be part of something that has such a following."