RIP Perry the miniature donkey, who inspired Eddie Murphy's character in the Shrek films. In 1999, DreamWorks animators visited Perry, a donkey in Palo Alto, California for inspiration. They were working on an upcoming animated feature about an ogre and donkey sidekick.
You may have heard of it. Indeed, Perry was the miniature donkey whose physical appearance was the model for Eddie Murphy’s Donkey in the Shrek films – the first of which was released in 2001 to massive critical success. It even won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
Jenny Kiratli, one of Perry handlers, told PEOPLE that “many of Donkey’s classic head tilts, eye rolls and bouncy trots were straight from Perry.” “He had a huge personality,” Kiratli explained. “So many children came by all the time to see him.
They don’t know he’s the Shrek donkey. They just know he’s a little, fuzzy animal who they love to pet.” Sadly, pet no more, as Perry was euthanized due to complications from several health conditions, including battling a painful hoof disease called laminitis.
“We are heartbroken to share that our beloved Barron Park donkey, Perry, passed away yesterday at the age of 30,” wrote representatives from The Barron Park Donkey Project. The volunteer-run organization in Palo Alto, California, took care of Perry for the past 27 years. “He was a beloved member of our community, and we know many people will be touched by his passing.
Memorial plans will be announced soon.” Donkeys t.
