Scenes of Hollywood actor and Aussie export, Chris Hemsworth, on a date with his “elderly” wife in a bid to help the star come to terms with his recent health news has ‘broken the internet’.
A heartwarming video shows Mr Hemsworth’s wife, actor and model Elsa Pataky, undergo a process of artificially “ageing” – transforming into an 87-year-old version of herself with prosthetics and special effects makeup.
The date went viral on social media where fans have sung his praise after the footage was first aired on an episode of Mr Hemsworth’s new National Geographic docuseries, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth.
This docuseries recently showed Mr Hemsworth unpacking the news he is eight to ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative and memory-altering form of dementia, which saw him announce a hiatus from acting in November.
After meeting what he first thought was an elderly fan, Mr Hemsworth is shown recognising his wife in disguise and saying “you’re still beautiful” while sharing a tearful embrace.
The bit was orchestrated by Mr Hemsworth’s wife who wanted to help him come to terms with his diagnosis, his fears of ageing and give him a glimpse at what she may look like in old age if Alzheimer’s does alter his cognitive function.
Mr Hemsworth, who has been married to Ms Pataky since 2010, later described seeing his wife as an 87-year-old as revelatory.
“What is quite confronting is approaching that age on my own,” he said in the episode.
“What makes it less scary is having someone to experience it with.
“Having people around you that you love makes me feel a lot more accepting.”
Ms Pataky said she was also left feeling “very vulnerable” by the bit which made her consider societal attitudes towards getting older.
“Ageing is frightening, especially with women and in this society,” she said.
“It made me think about how much value we give to youth.”
On social media, one Twitter user wrote: “Okay but the moment @chrishemsworth and @ElsaPataky_ shared after she was turned into an elderly person has me absolutely sobbing. The love.”
“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,” wrote another.
