Show reveals Hemsworth’s health risk
In making a TV series about pushing back against the effects of time and age, Chris Hemsworth got some health information of his own: The actor has eight to 10 times the normal risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Hemsworth, 39, underwent a number of genetic tests as part of “Limitless With Chris Hemsworth,” his new National Geographic show. The idea was that he would get the results live on camera and discuss what they meant and what he could do to make the best of his genetic road map.
That plan changed once the show’s longevity doctor saw the actor’s results. The doctor called showrunner Darren Aronofsky, Hemsworth explained to Vanity Fair, and said, “‘I don’t want to tell (Hemsworth) this on camera. We need to have an off-side conversation and see if he even wants this to be in the show.’ ”
Hemsworth learned that he had two copies of a gene, APOE4, inherited from both his father and mother. While a quarter of people have one copy, only 2% to 3% have two, the magazine said. The actor’s maternal grandfather has Alzheimer’s.
“I had a bunch of questions, but no one answered them,” Hemsworth said. “I wish I’d had a more intense follow-up with it because I didn’t really know what to think.”
But the actor said that learning about his increased Alzheimer’s risk has allowed him to assemble “the sort of tools to best prepare myself and prevent things happening in that way,” and for that he’s thankful.
He’s wrapping up the things he’s contractually obligated to do and then plans to take some time off.
“Doing an episode on
death and facing your own mortality made me go, ‘Oh God, I’m not ready to go yet,’ ” he told Vanity Fair. “I want to sit and be in this space with a greater sense of stillness and gratitude.” He also realized his kids — daughter India Rose, 10, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, 8 — won’t be kids forever.
As for his Alzheimer’s risk, Hemsworth emphasized that while his DNA gives a “strong indication” of what could happen, it’s not a predetermination.
“It was confronting initially, but very quickly it became a self-deprecating sort of joke, if you will,” he said.
Craig has moves in ad:
While promoting “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” Daniel Craig said dancing doesn’t come naturally to him — but he couldn’t resist a pitch from director Taika Waititi.
The pair collaborated on
a recent Belvedere vodka ad, in which the actor was swinging his hips and shimmying down hotel corridors while showing off tattooed biceps and a devastating pout.
“It was hard work because I don’t dance. So, the fact is, we had an amazing choreographer too, JaQuel Knight, who came in and I worked with him for a couple of days,” Craig said. “I just went for it. You don’t get chances like that very often.”
“In for a penny, in for a pound” he added.
Actor Kathryn Crosby is 89.
Actor Ben Stein is 78. Actor John Larroquette is 75. TV judge Bruno Tonioli is 67. Singer Amy Grant is 62. Actor Jill Hennessy is 54. Actor Christina Applegate is 51. Actor Eddie Steeples is 49. Actor Kristian Nairn is 47. Actor Stephanie Hsu is 32. Singer Jamie Grace is 31.