Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth has courageously shared the devastating moment he discovered his father Craig had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The 42-year-old actor, best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently released a deeply personal documentary titled A Road Trip To Remember, which chronicles a journey across Australia with his father to revisit childhood homes.
A Family's Genetic Discovery
During the documentary process, Hemsworth learned he carries two copies of the APOE4 gene – one inherited from each parent. This genetic combination means the actor is eight to ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease compared to the general population. Speaking about his father's condition, which has become increasingly apparent over the past two years, Hemsworth described the diagnosis as a 'real shock to the system' for his entire family.
Emotional Conversations and Warning Signs
In a candid interview on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast, Hemsworth recalled: 'I remember vividly that conversation of him sort of telling me not to be concerned about it. And then about two or three years later, my mom's saying to me, I think we've got to get dad checked because there's these signs and things I'm concerned about.'
The actor detailed the subtle changes that prompted concern: 'The obvious one's memory and sort of slight mood, changes and shifts and forgetfulness and so on. So we, he went and got tested and found out he had two copies of the APOE4, as did my mom.'
Genetic Implications for the Hemsworth Brothers
This discovery revealed significant genetic implications for the entire Hemsworth family. Chris explained: 'So then by default, me, Luke, and Liam all have two copies of APOE4. So this sort of anomaly of genetic combinations.'
The actor described his initial reaction to the news: 'I was immediately hit with the reality of what that meant for him because I had just gone through "Ah it's a long way down the track, don't worry, push it aside". Then all of a sudden it was right in front of us and it was confronting.'
Confronting a Changing Reality
As his father's condition progressed, Hemsworth experienced what he called a 'real sort of shaking into the moment'. He reflected: 'But then as it began to get worse it became a real sort of shock to the system. Everything we thought was solid and true and consistent was gonna dramatically change and shift.'
Professional Projects Continue
Alongside this personal journey, Hemsworth continues his professional career with upcoming film projects. His latest movie, Crime 101, sees him starring alongside Halle Berry under the direction of Bart Layton, marking Layton's return to the crime-thriller genre following his 2018 success American Animals.
The film, based on Don Winslow's novel, follows a series of sophisticated jewellery heists along the Pacific Coast initially attributed to Colombian cartels. However, an astute detective suspects a different perpetrator entirely. Layton not only directs but also co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Straughan.
Production Details and Release
The production brings together several notable figures:
- Shane Salerno of Story Factory as producer
- Working Title's Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan as producers
- Dimitri Doganis, Derrin Schlesinger and Bart Layton producing under RAW
- Joely Fether serving as executive producer
Crime 101 is scheduled for theatrical release on February 13, offering audiences a gripping crime narrative alongside Hemsworth's deeply personal documentary work exploring family, memory, and genetic inheritance.
