Chris Hemsworth discovered something alarming a few years ago: The same DNA that helped the Australian actor achieve the sculpted physique of a Norse god and the penetrating eyes of a Hollywood leading man also contained a genetic code that predisposed him for Alzheimer's disease. Now 42, he says he's still doing fine, and taking steps to stay mentally and physically fit in an effort to stave off any symptoms that might eventually arise. But the abstract possibility of "someday" has lately hit closer to the here and now.
Hemsworth is revealing that his 69-year-old father, Craig, has been diagnosed with the active form of the disorder, and has already begun to experience Alzheimer's corrosive effects on his memory and perception. Today the Thor star is not just trying to help his dad face a daunting health battle with Alzheimer's—he's also preparing for the day when he might have to fight it himself.
With that in mind, Hemsworth and his family decided to document their experiences on film. The actor was in the midst of making the National Geographic longevity series Limitless when he first learned that his DNA contained two copies of the Alzheimer's-signifying gene APOE4, one from each parent. Since he confronted the issue on-camera then, the Hemsworths decided to do it again. The result is A Road Trip to Remember, an hour-long documentary that will air on NatGeo on November 23, and become available on Disney+ and Hulu the day after.
"It was an interesting thing to even consider," the actor says. "There was a lot of, as you'd expect, apprehension and concern about how will this be perceived or portrayed? I don't want to feel like I'm manipulating any of it in any sense, so I asked him: 'What did you think? What are your feelings about this?' And he expressed a huge amount of enthusiasm to do it."
Chris, who has a daughter and twin sons with wife Elsa Pataky, says his father's cognitive struggles have made him live with more awareness and intent. He has come to see that some woes can't be avoided. Our days may be shorter than we expect. And everyone can become stuck in a routine, even blockbuster actors.
"For sure, the biggest takeaway for me was the comfort crisis that we're faced with," Hemsworth says in this exclusive interview. "The removal of all the safety nets and actually seeking new adventure is healthy for the mind, the spirit, and the body. We settle for the familiar, even if it's the wrong decision, because … well, it's better than the I-don't-know. And that's the problem, I think. We become stagnant with that sort of mentality and there is a lack in our growth. To continually push back against that familiar path is where the true lessons come."
His dad's response to the news showed him that even a grim prognosis can be accepted without necessarily backing down. "He has a pretty incredible perspective around all of it," Hemsworth says. "It causes fear and anxiety, but it's a motivator to not take any of it for granted and, while he can, capture as many memories as possible and revisit the old ones."
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