In making a TV series about pushing back against the effects of time and age, Chris Hemsworth got some health information that made him confront his own mortality: The “Thor” actor has eight to 10 times the normal risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Hemsworth 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 told him, “‘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.’ It was pretty shocking because he called me up and he told me.”
