Perry, donkey who inspired Donkey in Shrek, dies at 30

Perry, the beloved donkey who served as the real-life inspiration for Eddie Murphy’s animated character Donkey in the 2001 blockbuster Shrek, has died at the age of 30, Report informs via Where Is The Buzz.

His passing was confirmed by Jenny Kiratli, lead handler of the Barron Park Donkey Project, where Perry had lived since 1997.

Donkeys typically live 25–30 years in the wild and sometimes into their 40s under human care, according to the Barron Park website. Perry’s death marks the end of a life that was celebrated not only in his local community but also in the world of animated cinema.

In addition to his connection to Shrek, Perry served as a cherished mascot for the city of Palo Alto. The city rallied around him in his later years, including funding $10,000 in medical care as his health declined.

Perry’s contribution to Shrek began when animators from Pacific Data Images (PDI), tasked with creating the film, visited the Barron Park Donkey Project in the late 1990s. Perry was chosen as the model for Donkey, with animators taking countless photos and studying his movements to bring the character to life.