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Chris Hemsworth: From Thor's Anxiety to Finding Self-Worth Beyond Hollywood

Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth reveals he used to tie his self-worth to external successes like film nominations or franchises, but has since moved beyond that mindset. He confesses he battled severe performance anxiety and panic attacks after joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, using the Thor persona as a "safety net". Hemsworth also reflects on his childhood "absolute obsession" with acting, which he now sees as a form of escapism. Co-star Anya Taylor-Joy recently praised him as "the most wonderful, kind-hearted" individual after working together on *Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga*.

Key Points: Chris Hemsworth on Self-Worth, Anxiety, and Childhood Obsession

  • Battled severe anxiety as Thor
  • Self-worth no longer tied to success
  • Childhood acting obsession was escapism
  • Praised as wonderful co-star by Anya Taylor-Joy
3 min read

Chris Hemsworth: My self-worth doesn't rest upon exterior things anymore

Chris Hemsworth opens up about battling panic attacks as Thor, his shift in self-worth, and his childhood obsession with acting in candid interviews.

"My self-worth doesn't rest upon all of those exterior things any more - Chris Hemsworth"

Los Angeles, Feb 4

Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth, who has enjoyed huge success in Hollywood, starring in movies such as Star Trek, Snow White and the Huntsman, and the Thor franchise, says that his attitude has changed through the course of his career.

Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, Hemsworth said: "I used to think maybe if I was nominated for something I'd feel good about myself. Or maybe if I had the biggest film of all time, or launched another franchise, then I'd feel fulfilled. It's absurd.

"My self-worth doesn't rest upon all of those exterior things any more - though I still have to remind myself."

The actor was actually far more "uncomfortable and goofy" than he was willing to admit when he was first cast as Thor. He battled severe performance anxiety and panic attacks after joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Reflecting on his physical transformation for the role, he explained: "I felt like, 'OK, cool, no one can... with me.' Playing a god became a safety net. It fooled people into thinking I was that confident, that certain."

Last year, meanwhile, Hemsworth confessed that he developed an "absolute obsession" with acting as a child.

The movie star is now one of the best-known and best-paid actors in Hollywood, and Hemsworth said that he's managed to fulfil a childhood dream.

During an appearance on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, he shared: "Once I locked into the idea that I was going to become an actor, it was an absolute obsession."

At the time, Chris didn't appreciate how difficult it would be to achieve his dreams. However, Chris admits that his acting ambitions were a form of "escapism" for him.

He said: "There was no doubt that was what I was going to do. There was a naivety about the reality of how difficult that was going to be. But I guess it was sort of an escapism."

In 2024, Anya Taylor-Joy hailed Chris as "the most wonderful" co-star to work with.

The actress starred alongside Chris in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Anya admitted that she loved working with the "kind-hearted" actor.

Anya, who plays Imperator Furiosa in the George Miller-directed movie, told Access Hollywood: "I think we're so lucky that our relationship is nothing like the characters in this film, because making this film wanting to kill your co-star would be really difficult."

"He's just the most wonderful, kind-hearted, big-hearted individual. We have a lot of fun. (I'm) very lucky."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Even gods have panic attacks! Jokes aside, it's brave of him to admit this. We put celebrities on such a high pedestal, forgetting they're human too. His message is important, especially for young people who think success equals happiness.
A
Ananya R
Good for him, but honestly, it's easier to say your self-worth isn't tied to external things when you're already a top-paid Hollywood star. The struggle is real for the rest of us trying to make ends meet. His perspective comes from a place of immense privilege.
V
Vikram M
The part about using acting as "escapism" resonates so much. For many of us in India, cinema *is* an escape from daily pressures. To hear that even the actors themselves use it that way is interesting. Wishing him well on his journey!
S
Sarah B
It takes a lot of courage to be this vulnerable in the public eye. His honesty about performance anxiety is something we don't hear enough about from leading men. More power to him for prioritizing mental peace over external validation.
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Karthik V
This is a very yogic and spiritual concept—detachment from the fruits of your labor. Surprising to see it come from a Hollywood action hero, but the message is universal. True fulfillment comes from within, not from box office numbers or awards.

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