Chris Hemsworth Reveals Grim Genetic Test Results, Will Take Break From Acting

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One of the biggest movie stars on the planet will be taking a break from acting after learning that he carries two copies of a gene that increases his chance of developing Alzheimer's disease.

While filming his new show, "Limitless," the star came to a sobering realization. After genetic testing showed that he had two copies of the APOE4 gene from his parents, he confronted his biggest fear. According to the National Institutes of Health, only two to three percent of people carry two copies of the same genes.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, he talked about how he found out about the news.

"Peter Attia, who is the longevity doctor in that episode, and overseeing a lot of the show, called the show creator and said he didn't want to tell him this on camera." We need to have an off-side conversation to find out if he wants this to be in the show.

Attia tells the actor that he's eight to ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer's than someone who doesn't have the gene.

The 39-year-old actor said that he was shocked by the call.

Alzheimer's is a brain disorder that affects more than 6 million Americans and is the leading cause of dementia in older adults. The disease slowly erodes cognitive functions including memory, thinking, speaking, and the ability to perform simple tasks, eventually to the point that a patient is dependent on the help of others.

With no known cure, loved ones are powerless as they watch a loved one lose their personhood.

His grandpa has Alzheimer's.

"I'm not sure he remembers much anymore and he slips in and out of Dutch, which is his original language, so he'll be talking Dutch and English and then a mash-up and then some other new words as well."

The actor said that the prediction was unnerving.

The realities sink in. "Your own mortality is what I'm talking about."

Would you want to know your chances of developing a serious and fatal disease when there is no cure?

The answer is obvious for a lot of people. A person's chances of surviving a disease are greatly improved by early warning.

There is no known cure or preventative measures for Alzheimer's. A early warning could be a source of dread.

Genetic tests can be unreliable. In the case of Alzheimer's, an increased risk is not a definitive diagnosis. The authoritative nature of the science could cause someone to worry about an outcome that may never happen. Do you think it would be worth it?

After he was offered to air a version of the episode without the genetic test results, he pondered. He kept them in.

He said in the interview that if this is a motivator for people to take better care of themselves and also understand that there are steps you can take, then it's fantastic.

He is grateful that he took the test and is looking forward to the news.

It's about living better right now, regardless of whether or not this information helps you live longer. "Doing anything to benefit your future self is having a huge benefit in your current self."

It's not like I've been handed my resignation, so we can hopefully expect him to bounce back.

Fans can look forward to his role in George Miller's upcoming "Furiosa", which could be his hottest role to date.

The new Alzheimer's drug appears to work to some degree.