January 5th 2025.
Sad news has struck the world of animation as the inspiration for the beloved Shrek character Donkey, a donkey named Perry, has passed away at the age of 30. Perry, a miniature donkey with a gentle demeanor, was born in 1994 and spent most of his life in Palo Alto, California. Little did he know that his adorable face and personality would be used to inspire one of the most iconic animated characters in recent years.
According to Palo Alto Online, Perry passed away after battling a painful hoof disease known as laminitis. It was reported by San Francisco Bay Area website SFGate that Perry was even sketched and photographed to help animators create Donkey's animated likeness. His contribution to the 2001 Dreamworks Animation hit earned him a paycheck of approximately £60.
It is unclear how Perry spent his earnings, or if he had a love interest in dragons with long eyelashes. The park where he resided shared the heartbreaking news of his passing on Instagram, expressing their love and sadness for the loss of their beloved community member. They also announced that plans for a memorial will be shared soon.
The news of Perry's death comes as Dreamworks Animation has confirmed the development of Shrek 5 with a scheduled release date in 2026. Original stars like Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are set to return, but one notable name missing from the cast list is Antonio Banderas as the charming Puss in Boots. Sadly, it seems that Perry will not be able to contribute to the upcoming film, though it is unclear if he was consulted before his passing.
Before the official announcement of Shrek 5, Eddie Murphy had already revealed that he had begun voice recording for the film. In an interview with Collider, he shared that they had started recording a few months ago and would finish it up this year. He also revealed that a Donkey spin-off movie was in the works.
The Shrek franchise, with its four feature films released between 2001 and 2010, has been a massive success for Dreamworks Animation. The first film grossed $487 million worldwide and won the first Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Perry's £60 contribution may seem small in comparison, but it is a testament to his impact on popular culture.
Our hearts go out to Perry's community and all those who were touched by his gentle spirit. Rest in peace, Perry.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
