Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Chris Hemsworth's Father Has Alzheimer’s, and Tests Show He Carries the Risk Gene Too

Talking about things makes you feel better, and the Thor star <span>Chris Hemsworth</span> is right at it. Now 42, he is opening up about his father, Craig's diagnosis of Alzheimer's and have seen the corrosive effects on his memory and perception already. He is now making the best of it, by having it all documented on film. While he was in the middle of making National Geographic longevity series Limitless, he learned that he too carried two copies of the Alzheimer's signifying gene APOE4, one from each parent. Back then he confronted this on camera, while on shoot, and this feels like a great idea for him to do it again on A Road Trip To Remember, an hour-long documentary that will air on NatGeo.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/what-are-superbugs-the-drug-resistant-microbes-driving-indias-antibiotic-resistance-crisis-article-153179067" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">What Are Superbugs? The Drug-Resistant Microbes Driving India’s Antibiotic Resistance Crisis</a> 

“There was apprehension about how this would be portrayed,” Hemsworth admits. “I asked Dad what he felt, and he was actually enthusiastic. He wanted to do it.”

The Australian actor is now taking steps to stay mentally and physically fit, especially after knowing that he is predisposed for <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/alzheimers-disease">Alzheimer's disease</a></span>. 

Chris, who shares three children with wife Elsa Pataky, says his father's struggles have made him reflect deeply on how he lives. Some hardships in life, he notes, simply can’t be avoided.

“For me, the biggest takeaway was the comfort crisis we face,” he says, as reported in Esquire. “We settle for what’s familiar, even when it’s wrong, because the unknown feels scarier. But pushing against that is where growth happens.”

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ultra-processed-food-is-harming-your-heart-liver-and-brain-warns-new-lancet-study-article-153178737" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Ultra-Processed Food Is Harming Your Heart, Liver And Brain, Warns New Lancet Study</a>

His father’s reaction to the diagnosis has also taught him that even a grim prognosis can be approached with courage. “It causes fear, but it’s also a reminder not to take anything for granted,” Hemsworth says. “While he can, Dad wants to capture as many memories as possible.”

At the time of filming, Craig’s symptoms were sporadic—some memory lapses, moments of confusion, but overall lucidity remained. Alzheimer’s, however, does not improve with time. Knowing this, the father-son duo set out on a cross-country motorbike trip across Australia.

<ul><li>A house in Melbourne where the family lived in the early ’90s</li><li>A Northern Territory ranch where Craig once wrangled bulls</li><li>A specific bend in an Outback creek where the family played when the boys—Chris, Luke, and Liam—were small</li></ul>

Guided only by a fading photograph and half-recalled memories, they attempted to reconnect with moments that shaped their family’s early years.

The documentary also explores reminiscence therapy, guided by Dr. Suraj Samtani from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at the University of Sydney. The technique uses personal memories, photos, and familiar environments to stimulate the hippocampus, the part of the brain most affected by Alzheimer’s.

“One-on-one time with Dad was special,” Chris says. “Growing up, it was always all of us together.”

For Hemsworth, the experience has made one truth clear: the importance of connection.

“It became less about the science and more about the moments together,” he says. “Whether it’s 20 years or 20 days, hold on to every moment. Connect deeply, as often as you can.”

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Talking about things makes you feel better, and the Thor star Chris Hemsworth is right at it. Now 42, he is opening up about his father, Craig's diagnosis of Alzheimer's and have seen the corrosive effects on his memory and perception already. He is now making the best of it, by having it all documented on film. While he was in the middle of making National Geographic longevity series Limitless, he learned that he too carried two copies of the Alzheimer's signifying gene APOE4, one from each parent. Back then he confronted this on camera, while on shoot, and this feels like a great idea for him to do it again on A Road Trip To Remember, an hour-long documentary that will air on NatGeo.Also Read: What Are Superbugs? The Drug-Resistant Microbes Driving India’s Antibiotic Resistance Crisis “There was apprehension about how this would be portrayed,” Hemsworth admits. “I asked Dad what he felt, and he was actually enthusiastic. He wanted to do it.”The Australian actor is now taking steps to stay mentally and physically fit, especially after knowing that he is predisposed for Alzheimer's disease. Living With More Awareness NowChris, who shares three children with wife Elsa Pataky, says his father's struggles have made him reflect deeply on how he lives. Some hardships in life, he notes, simply can’t be avoided.“For me, the biggest takeaway was the comfort crisis we face,” he says, as reported in Esquire. “We settle for what’s familiar, even when it’s wrong, because the unknown feels scarier. But pushing against that is where growth happens.”Also Read: Ultra-Processed Food Is Harming Your Heart, Liver And Brain, Warns New Lancet Study His father’s reaction to the diagnosis has also taught him that even a grim prognosis can be approached with courage. “It causes fear, but it’s also a reminder not to take anything for granted,” Hemsworth says. “While he can, Dad wants to capture as many memories as possible.”A Trip Down The Memory LaneAt the time of filming, Craig’s symptoms were sporadic—some memory lapses, moments of confusion, but overall lucidity remained. Alzheimer’s, however, does not improve with time. Knowing this, the father-son duo set out on a cross-country motorbike trip across Australia.They retraced old memories:A house in Melbourne where the family lived in the early ’90sA Northern Territory ranch where Craig once wrangled bullsA specific bend in an Outback creek where the family played when the boys—Chris, Luke, and Liam—were smallGuided only by a fading photograph and half-recalled memories, they attempted to reconnect with moments that shaped their family’s early years.The documentary also explores reminiscence therapy, guided by Dr. Suraj Samtani from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at the University of Sydney. The technique uses personal memories, photos, and familiar environments to stimulate the hippocampus, the part of the brain most affected by Alzheimer’s.“One-on-one time with Dad was special,” Chris says. “Growing up, it was always all of us together.”For Hemsworth, the experience has made one truth clear: the importance of connection.“It became less about the science and more about the moments together,” he says. “Whether it’s 20 years or 20 days, hold on to every moment. Connect deeply, as often as you can.”