Man Who Inspired ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Dead at 46

Anthony Senerchia Jr. was diagnosed with ALS in 2003

By Mike Vulpo Nov 30, 2017 3:29 AMTags
ALS ChallengeNurPhoto/Corbis via Getty Images

Anthony Senerchia Jr., who served as an inspiration behind the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, died this past weekend after a battle with ALS. He was 46.

"Anthony's positive attitude and fighting spirit helped him beat doctors' expectations by living more than ten years beyond their prognosis," his obituary stated. "If you asked Anthony, he would attribute this to his love and desire to be with his daughter Taya."

The post continued, "Throughout his fight, Anthony maintained a positive attitude and would say 'It's not what we take from life, but what we give back to others is what ultimately defines us.'"

With that in mind, Anthony would create the Anthony Senerchia Jr. ALS Charitable Foundation.

As for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, it helped the ALS Association fund over 150 ongoing research projects and raised more than $115 million in eight weeks.

Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Matt Damon and Emma Stone were just a few of the many celebrities who participated and nominated friends. Look back at some of the most memorable in our gallery below

 

Kim Kardashian

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star snaps selfies as Ellen DeGeneres pours ice and cold water over her head!

Kathy Griffin

The comedian decides to "take it up a notch" and complete the challenge naked on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Matthew Lewis

Harry Potter fans rejoice! The actor gets soaked (shirtless) for a great cause. 

Henry Cavill & Amy Adams

The Superman stars get soaked on the set of their new movie Batman v Superman.

Matt Damon

The Water.org co-founder used toilet water in his challenge!

Ty Simpkins

Olivia Wilde soaks the cutie.

Kate Hudson

The actress nominated Goldie Hawn, Matthew McConaughey and Muse after getting soaked.

John Mayer

The rocker was nominated by Jason Becker, a musician who has ALS and can no longer play guitar.

Rihanna

...and then got soaked herself.

Eminem

Rihanna iced her Monster tourmate...

Chris Evans

The actor suited up—literally—to accept Chris Hemsworth's challenge.

Tina Fey

The actress 8-year-old daughter acted as her stunt double.

Mandy Moore & Minka Kelly

The BFFs took turns getting each other wet.

Benedict Cumberbatch

THANK YOU, Tom Hiddleston, for your nomination. The Sherlock star delivered.

Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult

The Twilight alum took on the challenge with her Equals co-star.

Tom Hiddleston

The popular British heartthrob who plays Loki in the Thor films on Aug. 19 shared a video of himself taking on the challenge after being nominated by Castle star Nathan Fillion. He told Benedict Cumberbatch and Luke Evans of The Hobbit to go next.

Emma Stone

The Help star joined in the freezing fun and challenged her beau Andrew Garfield.

Anne Hathaway

The Oscar winner accepted Giancarlo Giammetti's challenge, then called on Kristen Stewart, Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain and Joan Rivers to follow suit.

Shia LaBeouf

The actor lent his name (and buff bod) to the cause, and challenged New York artist Marina Abramović.

50 Cent

The rapper accepted Ludacris and Bow Wow's challenge and in turn, nominated Omari Hardwick and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Victoria Beckham

The designer looked posh even as her three sons doused her with ice water!

Lindsay Lohan

The Mean Girls star accepted her challenge on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and then nominated Brooklyn Community Services' Duffield Children's Center, Prince Harry and Jared Leto.

Mark Wahlberg

The Ted star, wife Rhea Wahlberg and three of their adorable kids accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, then collectively nominated Spike Lee, Eminem, boxer Manny Pacquiao, Shailene Woodley and Jay Z.

Jamie Foxx

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 star got some help from daughter Anelise when he accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. He, in turn, challenged her to complete it, too, along with Drake and Channing Tatum.

Nicole Kidman

The Aussie star shrieked as she accepted her challenge, then nominated Jason Bateman!

John Travolta

The actor happily accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

Sarah Jessica Parker

The Sex and the City star wore only a towel when she accepted her challenge!

George W. Bush

The former president took it like a champ, then nominated his pal (and fellow former president!) Bill Clinton.

Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan-Tatum

The super-cute couple accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge together!

Verne Troyer

The Austin Powers alum pointed out that California is in a drought, so, sticking an Oreo cookie in his mouth, he "improvised" and accepted the challenge by getting doused in ice cold milk!

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View More Photos From ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: Stars Who've Accepted

In regards to Anthony, those close to the philanthropist will remember his love for life and family even during his health battles.

"Anthony will be remembered as a fireball who tried everything in life. He was family oriented, generous and always ready to lend a helping hand," his obituary read. "He was a great husband, a proud father, a loving son and a great brother. He will be missed by everyone who knew him."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a family fund online.