Donkey that 'inspired' Eddie Murphy's Shrek character dies aged 30

Real life donkey Perry who 'inspired' Eddie Murphy's character in the Shrek movies has passed away.

Miniature donkey Pericles - a.k.a. Perry - passed away at the age of 30 after being diagnosed with an incurable condition, his sanctuary announced in a post to social media.

Perry's inspiration for Shrek

The first of the iconic franchise was released in 2001 and stars not just ogres Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz), but noble steed Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) too.

And it's reported the movie took inspiration from real-life donkey Perry when creating Murphy's character.

Perry was originally brought to California in 1997 as an emotional support animal for polo ponies but 'instead of calming them, he nipped at them,' Barron Park Donkey Project's website reveals.

The donkey was subsequently re-homed in Barron Park where he ended up being visited by animators from Pacific Data Images - 'a local company contracted by DreamWorks for the 3D animation' - in 1999.

It's reported the animators 'visited the pasture and observed Perry, especially his movements and gait, to learn how donkeys move'.

"Unfortunately, although Donkey was a hilarious and well-loved star in Shrek, Perry is not mentioned in the movie credits," the website adds.

And sadly Barron Park Donkey Project has since revealed Perry has gone to pastures new.

Perry's passing

Barron Park Donkeys took to Instagram on January 4 to share the news of Perry's passing. The post reads: "In loving memory Petty. June 1994 - January 2, 2025.

"Perry came to the Barron Park donkeys in 1997 as a young and feisty three-year-old companion to Miner Forty-Niner.

"Throughout his long life here, Perry captured the hearts of the Barron Park community, and far beyond, with his beautiful soulful eyes, his sweet and gentle disposition, his amiable stroll to the pasture gate to greet his visitors, and of course his contributions to the movie Shrek - as the motion model for the Donkey character in the movie."

The Barron Park Donkey Project revealed Perry passed away after 'suffering increasingly from a condition known as laminitis' - a condition which affects the hooves, causing inflammation which 'is not curable' - adding handlers spent 'many hours' with him 'petting him, cradling him, singing to him and telling him that he was and always will be loved'.

The project praised Perry for 'delighting' people with appearances at events and daily walks and being a 'beloved member' of the community and noted 'memorial plans will be announced soon'.

And it's not taken long for fans of the donkey and Shrek films to flock to social media to pay tribute.

Paying tribute to Perry

One Twitter user wrote: "RIP Perry! The Shrek series was awesome…"

"Damn didn't even know about Perry, RIP you rock star," another added.

A third commented: "Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. RIP Perry."

"Happy trails Perry," a fourth wrote, while a fifth resolved: "RIP NOBLE STEED!"