Chris Hemsworth reveals how dad’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis affected him in sobering admission
Chris Hemsworth has emotionally reflected on his dad's Alzheimer's diagnosis and the 'fragility' of life.
Last year, the 42-year-old Marvel actor starred in a TV show with his dad Craig, 70, called A Road Trip To Remember, which followed the father-son duo as they revisited his childhood homes throughout Australia, shortly after his diagnosis with early-stage Alzheimer's.
It came after 2022 documentary series called Limitless, where he revealed that his maternal grandfather had the disease and he himself is eight to 10 times more likely to develop it than average due to having two copies of the APOE4 gene, one from each parent.
And now, in a new interview with The Guardian, the Thor star and father-of-two admitted that his dad's diagnosis has caused him to slow down a little.
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He said: "My appetite for racing forward has really been reined in. I’ve become more aware of the fragility of things.
"You start thinking, ‘My dad won’t be here for ever.’ And my kids are now 11 and 13. Those nights where they’d fight over sleeping in our bed - suddenly they’re not happening any more."
Speaking of his 'deeply personal' documentary with his dad, he questioned whether he made the right choice, but ultimately decided it was 'a love letter to his father'.
Hemsworth said: “I wondered if I was letting people too far in. 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?'
"It was so deeply personal. It was a love letter to my father. It empowered him for a period, and stimulated memories that were being taken away from him."
He added: "People like to pretend it’s not happening, because it’s so uncomfortable for them, so you suffer in silence. People talk to you about the footy, and the weather and stuff, and no one actually says, ‘How are you doing? Are you scared? Are you afraid?'"
The actor explained how his mindset has shifted, especially around how he thinks about work, which used to be driven by a need for financial security.
Hemsworth said: “I’d think, ‘I came from nothing. Who am I to turn down that kind of money?’ 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."
Now though, he's 'getting better at relaxing, making more curated decisions, working with people I admire'.
Hemsworth also discussed how he drew inspiration from his dad, who worked as a social services counsellor in child protection, in his latest role as elusive jewel thief, Mike Davis, in Crime 101.
The action-thriller movie, which will hit cinemas on 13 February, follows Hemsworth's character as he conducts high-stakes, untraceable jewel heists along the Los Angeles 101 freeway.
He explained: "I’ve discussed with my dad the tragic circumstances kids face, the deep need for love and connection, and how you can go searching in all the wrong places when you don’t get it."
If you've been affected by dementia or Alzheimer's and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact the Alzheimer’s Society via 0333 150 3456 or visit their website for more information.
Madison Burgess