Thor No More? Chris Hemsworth Believed He Would Lose Career to Alzheimer's

• Primary Subject: Chris Hemsworth's Alzheimer's Predisposition & Career Shift
• Key Update: During a February 2026 press tour for Crime 101, Hemsworth revealed he feared Hollywood would stop casting him in action roles if he went public with his health vulnerabilities.
• Status: Confirmed
• Last Verified: February 5, 2026
• Quick Answer: Carrying two copies of the APOE4 gene, Chris Hemsworth is refocusing his career on "personal" roles while preparing for his next film, Crime 101.

The God of Thunder may be unstoppable in the MCU, but in real life, Chris Hemsworth feared for his life and career, especially after being told that he has the strongest genetic risk factor for developing late-onset Alzheimer's in 2022.

While the acclaimed actor tried to push forward through his own series, Limitless, in tackling the journey, a recent interview sheds light on his true fears and feelings of what the diagnosis might cost him.

Chris Hemsworth Wondered If His Alzheimer's Scare Would Take a Toll on His Acting Career

In a new interview with The Guardian on his Crime 101 press tour, Hemsworth admitted he had some reservations about going public with the news of his increased risk of developing Alzheimer's, and how it might leave him vulnerable to Hollywood replacing him and his great works.

Credit: Marvel Studios

"I wondered if I was letting people too far in," Hemsworth 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?"

Hemsworth revealed in 2022 that he has a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's disease, making him 8 to 10 times more likely to develop the disease.

He first announced it on an episode of his Disney+ series, Limitless, where he met with a doctor who informed him of his state. He was concerned about how such news would impact the public's perception of his career and capabilities.

Of his family, Hemsworth's grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and he revealed last November that his father is currently battling the disease.

How the Gene Diagnosis Changed Hemsworth's Perspective on His Career

Credit: Marvel Studios

Hemsworth expressed his concern about his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis, and that it became a part of why he slowed down on his career at the moment.

"My appetite for racing forward has really been reined in," with the Extraction star adding that he had become more aware of the 'fragility' of things, "You start thinking, 'My dad won't be here forever.' And my kids are now 11 and 13. Those nights where they'd fight over sleeping in our bed – and suddenly they're not happening anymore."

His father's diagnosis had also driven him into uncharted territory, where Hemsworth decided to take "more personal" roles, rather than the ones he had previously chosen for the money.

"I'd think, 'I came from nothing. Who am I to turn down that kind of money?'" Hemsworth recalled, "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."

For now, Hemsworth stars in Crime 101, which will premiere on February 13, 2026.

Keep it locked on Epicstream.com, the best source for film, TV, and celebrity coverage!