# Royd Tolkien takes on brother's ALS challenges

> Royd Tolkien completes 50 challenges left by his late brother in ALS documentary.
- Title: Royd Tolkien takes on brother's ALS challenges · ABC7 New York
- Summary: Royd Tolkien completes 50 challenges left by his late brother in ALS documentary. royd tolkien, mike tolkien, als · reported by ABC7 New York.
- Keywords: royd tolkien, mike tolkien, als, documentary, there's a hole in my bucket, j.r.r. tolkien, benedict cumberbatch, als network, ice bucket challenge, news, local, Royd
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/jrr-tolkiens-great-grandson-shares-late-brothers-story-new-als-documentary-theres-hole-bucket/19962095
- Published: 2026-10-21T01:00:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: royd tolkien, mike tolkien, als, documentary, there's a hole in my bucket, j.r.r. tolkien, benedict cumberbatch, als network, ice bucket challenge, news, local
## Royd Tolkien honors late brother
Royd Tolkien, great-grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien, shares his brother Mike's story in new ALS documentary.
## Mike's ALS challenge list
Mike died in 2015 of ALS and secretly created 50 challenges for Royd to complete after his death.
## Mike's instructions
Mike told Royd to make a film of his story and use his name to promote the documentary.

> You make films. Make a film of this. If you're going to use your name for anything, use it to promote this
## Documentary title
The documentary is called 'There's a Hole in My Bucket' and follows Royd completing challenges.
## Challenges include
Challenges involve flying a plane, jumping out of one, dressing like a hippie, and allowing a spider to crawl on his body.
## Documentary release
The documentary screens Wednesday night at Newport Beach Film Festival and raises ALS funds through an auction.
## Key takeaway

Royd Tolkien completes 50 challenges left by his late brother Mike in ALS documentary 'There's a Hole in My Bucket'.