Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth, best known for playing Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has revealed the emotional and personal battle his family is facing. In a recently released documentary, the actor shared that his 71-year-old father, Craig Hemsworth, is showing early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
An Intimate Journey Through Memory Lane
The documentary, titled 'Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember', offers a raw and intimate look into their lives. Chris takes his father on a poignant road trip, aiming to jog his memory using old tapes, photographs, and films. A particularly moving segment shows them revisiting the house they lived in during the 1990s, attempting to recreate cherished moments from the past.
The film captures the heartbreaking reality of the disease's progression. In one sombre moment, when Chris asks his father, "How does it feel?", Craig simply responds, "I can't." The documentary begins by showing Craig's difficulty in recalling previous conversations, a common early sign. He is also seen repeatedly asking when his wife will arrive, a moment that reportedly made Chris emotional as it highlighted one of the initial indicators of Alzheimer's.
Reminiscence Therapy and Genetic Risk
Opting for a form of Reminiscence Therapy, the Hemsworths are joined on their journey by Craig's old friend, Spencer. The two friends once worked together in the dangerous profession of wrangling wild bulls and feral cows, and revisiting these memories forms a core part of the therapeutic experience.
This personal family story intersects with Chris Hemsworth's own health revelations. Previously, during his National Geographic series 'Limitless', the actor discovered through genetic testing that he has two copies of the ApoE4 gene, inherited from both parents. In an interview with Vanity Fair, he confirmed this places him in the 2-3% of the population that is up to ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease later in life compared to those without the gene variants.
A Documentary to Remember
The documentary 'Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember' was released on November 23, 2025, on the National Geographic channel. It transcends celebrity news, becoming a universal story about family, memory, and the fragility of life. By sharing his father's struggle and his own genetic predisposition, Chris Hemsworth brings significant public attention to Alzheimer's disease, its early signs, and the emotional toll it takes on families.
The film stands as a powerful testament to the bond between a father and son, navigating a challenging path while clinging to the echoes of a shared past. It highlights the importance of early diagnosis, family support, and the ongoing search for ways to combat this progressive neurological condition.
