Chris Hemsworth says discovering his heightened genetic risk for Alzheimer’s has completely reshaped how he approaches health, work, and family.
The 41-year-old Thor star learned the news while filming the Disney+ series Limitless, a documentary exploring human longevity. Genetic testing revealed he carries two copies of the APOE4 gene—one from each parent—placing him at an estimated eight to ten times higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s than someone without both copies.
“It was a warning sign that became a big motivator to look after myself,” Hemsworth told the BBC. “It also felt like an opportunity to raise awareness for something so many people face.”
Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia, progressively impacting memory, reasoning, and cognitive function. Despite his openness, Hemsworth says rumours quickly spiraled that he was retiring or already experiencing symptoms—claims he firmly denies. “It kind of p***ed me off,” he told Vanity Fair. “I’d been vulnerable and shared something personal, and suddenly the story became that I have dementia and I’m quitting acting.”
Instead, the revelation prompted him to rethink his high-intensity approach to training. Gone is the “crawl out of the gym” mentality. “I used to think if I wasn’t crawling out of the gym, I hadn’t worked hard enough,” he told Body + Soul. “Now I’m more patient, I listen to my body, and I focus on the long game.”
These days, Hemsworth’s routine includes mindfulness, quiet time away from external noise, and activities designed to protect brain health alongside physical fitness. “Time without outside voices or stimulation is essential,” he told Men’s Health.
He’s also exploring regenerative medicine, recently meeting Dr. Adeel Khan to learn about MUSE cells—specialised regenerative stem cells found in bone marrow and connective tissue. “The fact Dr. Khan works directly with the scientist who pioneered these cells gave me confidence,” Hemsworth wrote on Instagram.
Perhaps the biggest change is how he weighs work against family time. Now based in Byron Bay with wife Elsa Pataky and their three children, he evaluates every project against what it takes away from home life. “Sometimes giving that extra 20 percent to work meant diminishing returns,” he reflected.
Though he’s cautious about extreme biohacking, Hemsworth believes in realistic, targeted health strategies. “There’s no point in living longer if you’re isolated and unhappy,” he said. “I’m going to invest in my health, but I also want to enjoy life.”
Mortality, he says, is something to face directly. “Suffering comes from denying that death is inevitable. We all have an expiration date.” Longevity expert Dr. Peter Attia has suggested that with the right lifestyle adjustments, Hemsworth could reduce his Alzheimer’s risk to match the population average—a possibility he calls a “blessing in disguise.”
For now, Hemsworth isn’t stepping back from his career. He’ll reprise his role in Avengers: Doomsday in 2026 and says he’s open to future solo Thor films—but only if the projects carry greater purpose. “It’s in the quieter moments that I make the best decisions,” he said, a truth his genetic discovery has only reinforced.
