Chris Hemsworth Shares How Alzheimer’s Risk Changed His Life and Career Choices

Chris Hemsworth says finding out about his increased genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease has completely reshaped his perspective on health, work, and family. The 41-year-old actor learned of the risk while filming Limitless, a Disney+ documentary on human longevity. During the shoot, genetic testing revealed he carries two copies of the APOE4 gene—one from each parent—raising his chances of developing Alzheimer’s eight to tenfold compared to the average person.

Speaking to the BBC, Hemsworth described the news as both a “wake-up call” and a motivator to be more deliberate about his well-being. Alzheimer’s, the most common cause of dementia, progressively damages memory and cognitive skills. But while his intention was to raise awareness, Hemsworth admits he was frustrated when headlines twisted his disclosure into rumors of retirement or an early diagnosis. “It annoyed me,” he told Vanity Fair. “I opened up about something personal, and suddenly the story was that I had dementia and was quitting acting.”

Instead of retreating, Hemsworth has embraced a new lifestyle. The intense, punishing gym sessions that once defined his training are gone. “I used to think I hadn’t done enough unless I left the gym crawling,” he told Body + Soul. Now, his focus is on sustainable fitness, mindfulness, and mental exercises that support brain health. “Quiet time without constant stimulation is just as important,” he shared with Men’s Health.

He’s also exploring regenerative medicine, recently meeting with Dr. Adeel Khan to learn about MUSE cells—regenerative stem cells found in bone marrow and connective tissue. Hemsworth says working with a scientist directly connected to the discovery gave him confidence in the approach.

Perhaps the biggest shift has been in how he balances career and family life. Living in Byron Bay with wife Elsa Pataky and their three children, he now weighs each role against the time it will take him away from home. “Pushing that extra 20 percent for work sometimes came at too high a cost,” he reflected.

Although curious about advanced health strategies, Hemsworth is careful to avoid extreme “biohacking” fads. For him, the goal is longevity paired with happiness. “Living longer isn’t worth much if you’re alone or miserable,” he said. “I’ll invest in my health, but I also want to enjoy life.” He’s also open about mortality, believing that accepting it can reduce fear and suffering: “We all have an expiration date. Pretending otherwise only makes it harder.”

Longevity specialist Dr. Peter Attia has suggested that with the right lifestyle adjustments, Hemsworth could potentially bring his Alzheimer’s risk down to average levels—something the actor calls a “blessing in disguise.”

Far from slowing down, Hemsworth will return as Thor in Avengers: Doomsday in 2026 and says he’d consider future solo films if the story has depth and meaning. “The best choices come in the quiet moments,” he said—a philosophy his genetic discovery has only strengthened.