Chris Hemsworth has revealed he’s taking a break from acting following the news that he is at very high risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
While he may be slowing down, Page Six reported that the Aussie actor’s upcoming schedule is not quite so idle.
Hemsworth has four projects in the works, including the return of his iconic Thor character in the highly anticipated Avengers sequel, and an untitled Hulk Hogan biopic. Although after those four projects, a source said, “he doesn’t plan to take on many roles because of [learning about his high risk for] Alzheimer’s.”
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Hemsworth, 39, said he’s “not talking about retiring by any means,”
The 39-year-old discovered he’s at high risk for Alzheimer’s while filming the National Geographic and Disney+ docuseries, Limitless.
He told Vanity Fair about “the intensity [of] navigating” the test results and highlighted while it’s not a diagnosis, it’s a scary sign that the disease is more likely to develop in him than most other people.
“Most of us, we like to avoid speaking about death,” he said. “Then to all of a sudden be told some big indicators are actually pointing to this as the route which is going to happen, the reality of it sinks in. Your own mortality.”
He revealed learning that he’s “eight to 10 times more likely” to develop Alzheimer’s, “triggered something in me to want to take some time off.”
“I’ve been completing the things I was already contracted to do,” he said, adding that he plans to “go home and … to have a good chunk of time off and just simplify. Be with the kids, be with my wife.”
Image credit: Getty
This article first appeared on Over60.