Beloved Aussie actor takes a break from acting after shocking health scare
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Most of us know the beloved actor Chris Hemsworth as Thor from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We've seen him grace our screens for years and have come to adore him as one of Hollywood's leading men.
But what you might not know about Chris is that he recently announced that he would be taking a break from acting after receiving some potentially life-changing information.
The actor made the discovery after undergoing tests as part of his new documentary series Limitless, which is all about him testing his body and exploring ways to live longer and healthier.
Unfortunately, the tests confirmed his 'biggest fear', which is that he has a heightened risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
This was due to the fact that he has two copies of the gene ApoE4, one from each parent – making him between eight and 10 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's than those without.

In light of this news, the actor has decided to take a break from acting in order to focus on his health and well-being – something we can all learn from!
'It's not like I've been handed my resignation,' Hemsworth said in an interview with Vanity Fair. 'But it really triggered something in me that I want to try and take some preventative steps.'
He added that this means focusing on sleep management, stress management, nutrition, movement and fitness – all important things we should be paying attention to regardless.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and can cause memory problems, confusion and communication issues – and sadly, it does not have a cure (yet).
There is no need for panic, though; Hemsworth clarified that he had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at this stage but had only been warned about his increased risk due to his genes.
The actor will soon be seen in George Miller's forthcoming Mad Max sequel Furiosa, which concluded filming earlier this month – but after that, he plans to take a break from acting while fulfilling his contractual obligations for Limitless and other projects.
After that, he will be going home to Byron Bay in Australia to spend time with his partner, actor Elsa Pataky, and their three children.
Credit: National Geographic.
His decision is understandable, and we would feel exactly the same in his shoes. Just learning this could be a possibility for your future would definitely leave us feeling shaken up too.
We applaud Chris Hemsworth for his decision to take a break from his acting career and focus on his health. This is a great reminder for all of us that our health should always be a top priority.
From all of us here at the SDC, we wish Chris all the best for the future!
According to Healthdirect, Alzheimer's disease affects up to 1 in 10 Australians over the age of 65, and up to 3 in 10 Australians over the age of 85.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reported that in 2020 it was the second most common cause of death in the country.
If you're worried about your risk of developing Alzheimer's, we recommend talking to your GP about your concerns. They will be able to help you understand your risk and take steps to protect your health.
But what you might not know about Chris is that he recently announced that he would be taking a break from acting after receiving some potentially life-changing information.
The actor made the discovery after undergoing tests as part of his new documentary series Limitless, which is all about him testing his body and exploring ways to live longer and healthier.
Unfortunately, the tests confirmed his 'biggest fear', which is that he has a heightened risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
This was due to the fact that he has two copies of the gene ApoE4, one from each parent – making him between eight and 10 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's than those without.

Chris Hemsworth admitted that he has a higher-than-average risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Credit: YouTube/Good Morning America.
In light of this news, the actor has decided to take a break from acting in order to focus on his health and well-being – something we can all learn from!
'It's not like I've been handed my resignation,' Hemsworth said in an interview with Vanity Fair. 'But it really triggered something in me that I want to try and take some preventative steps.'
He added that this means focusing on sleep management, stress management, nutrition, movement and fitness – all important things we should be paying attention to regardless.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and can cause memory problems, confusion and communication issues – and sadly, it does not have a cure (yet).
There is no need for panic, though; Hemsworth clarified that he had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at this stage but had only been warned about his increased risk due to his genes.
The actor will soon be seen in George Miller's forthcoming Mad Max sequel Furiosa, which concluded filming earlier this month – but after that, he plans to take a break from acting while fulfilling his contractual obligations for Limitless and other projects.
After that, he will be going home to Byron Bay in Australia to spend time with his partner, actor Elsa Pataky, and their three children.
Credit: National Geographic.
His decision is understandable, and we would feel exactly the same in his shoes. Just learning this could be a possibility for your future would definitely leave us feeling shaken up too.
We applaud Chris Hemsworth for his decision to take a break from his acting career and focus on his health. This is a great reminder for all of us that our health should always be a top priority.
From all of us here at the SDC, we wish Chris all the best for the future!
Key Takeaways
- Chris Hemsworth is taking a break from acting after learning he has a heightened risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
- The Thor star made the discovery after undergoing tests as part of his new documentary series Limitless.
- Hemsworth wants to use the break to 'simplify' and focus on his health and his family.
According to Healthdirect, Alzheimer's disease affects up to 1 in 10 Australians over the age of 65, and up to 3 in 10 Australians over the age of 85.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reported that in 2020 it was the second most common cause of death in the country.
If you're worried about your risk of developing Alzheimer's, we recommend talking to your GP about your concerns. They will be able to help you understand your risk and take steps to protect your health.