Chris Hemsworth Fears Revealing His Genetic Risk for a Chilling Disease Could Cost Him His Career

Chris Hemsworth is finding that his greatest superpower might actually be his vulnerability. While promoting his upcoming heist thriller Crime 101, the actor opened up to The Guardian about the internal struggle he faced before sharing his health journey with the world.

The Australian star admitted he had major reservations about going public with his genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, he was concerned that fans might view him differently if they knew about his long-term health risks.

I wondered if I was letting people too far in, Hemsworth admitted during the interview. 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 news first broke in 2022 during an episode of the Disney+ docuseries Limitless. A doctor informed him that he carries two copies of the APOE4 gene, which makes him eight to 10 times more likely to develop the disease.

While the discovery was jarring, the condition hits close to home for the actor. His grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and Hemsworth confirmed last November that his father is currently battling the disease as well.

Watching his father’s struggle has significantly shifted his perspective on work and time. He noted that his father’s diagnosis is part of the reason he has chosen to slow down his career pace recently.

My appetite for racing forward has really been reined in, he explained. I’ve become more aware of the fragility of things. You start thinking, ‘My dad won’t be here for ever.’

This shift in priority has also changed the way he views his children. His kids are now 11 and 13, and he has noticed the small, domestic moments of their childhood are quickly slipping away.

His father’s health has even influenced his creative choices, moving him toward roles that feel more personal. In his younger years, Hemsworth admitted he often made financial decisions to ensure he could provide for his extended family.

I’d think, ‘I came from nothing. Who am I to turn down that kind of money?’ he recalled. He often felt he had to justify projects that weren’t the purest creative decision just to help his parents and cousins.

In 2025, he released the documentary A Road Trip to Remember, which focused directly on his father’s battle. He described the project as a love letter that helped stimulate his father’s fading memories.

Despite the heavy headlines, Hemsworth has been firm that his genetic status is not a diagnosis. He previously noted that it’s not like I’ve been handed my resignation and clarified that the gene is an indicator, not a certainty.

He has also expressed frustration with how the media initially framed his reveal as a retirement announcement. It really kind of pissed me off because it felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared this, he said in 2024.

Currently, fans can look forward to seeing him in Crime 101, which hits theaters on February 13. The film is an adaptation of a Don Winslow novella and is directed by Bart Layton.

The gritty heist thriller features an incredible ensemble cast including Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, and Barry Keoghan. Hemsworth stars as Mike Davis, a jewel thief whose heists along the 101 freeway lead to a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.

Later this year, he is set to return to his most iconic role as the God of Thunder. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 18, marking his massive return to the MCU.

His career continues to balance these blockbuster spectacles with smaller, more grounded projects. As he navigates this new chapter, his focus remains on legacy and the importance of family.

How do you feel about actors sharing their personal health risks with the public? Please share your thoughts in the comments.