In November of last year, Chris Hemsworth shocked fans when he announced that he intended to “take some time off” from acting following the discovery that he’s genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease — the most common form of dementia and a progressive brain disorder that destroys memory.
Following the announcement, Chris said: “The idea that I won’t be able to remember the life I’ve experienced, or my wife, my kids — this is probably my biggest fear.”
In the following episode, the Limitless team and Chris’ wife, Elsa Pataky, hatch a plan to confront his fears of ageing — by having Elsa dress up as her elderly self. Check out her transformation below!
View this video on YouTube
youtube.com
While undergoing the ageing process, Elsa describes the experience as hugely confronting, saying “I’m not sure I want Chris to see me like this now.”
Chris, who is led to believe that he’s meeting up with an elderly fan, is then surprised to discover his wife in full SFX makeup — and the two tearfully embrace.
Dancing with his wife, Chris admits that the experience has left him “a little teary-eyed” — and she agrees, saying “I want to live those years with you, we need those memories.” If you weren’t already sobbing, let it rip. 😭😭😭
Fans were positively losing it over the scene, saying they were left “shattered” and “sobbing”:
I just cried watching the video of Elsa Pataky dress up as an elderly woman to surprise Chris Hemsworth because he might not be able to see her at that age😭😭 F U Alzheimer’s 😭😭
Twitter: @Yuktha_xo
I just found out that Chris Hemsworth’s wife Elsa got sfx makeup done to age her so Chris Hemsworth would be able to see what she looks like when she grows old, since he’s at such a high risk for Alzheimer’s he’ll maybe remember her when/if symptoms being showing. I’m shattered
Twitter: @yoongis_tattoo
But allowing Chris to see his beloved wife as an old woman right now — in case he doesn’t recognise her in the future — is as simultaneously heartwarming as it is heartbreaking.
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/juliawilling/chris-hemsworth-meets-his-elderly-wife
