Real-life donkey behind Shrek’s Donkey dies at 30 leaving lasting legacy in film and community

Perry, the real-life model for Shrek’s Donkey, dies at 30, remembered for his impact on film and Palo Alto.

Perry, the donkey who served as the real-life model for Donkey in the 2001 animated film Shrek, has passed away at age 30. Residing at the Barron Park Donkey Project in Palo Alto, California, since 1997, Perry was a beloved community mascot and cultural icon. His death was announced by Jenny Kiratli, the lead handler at Barron Park, who cited his deteriorating health due to laminitis, an incurable condition.

“It is with great sadness that I am reporting the death of the incomparable Perry," Kiratli shared in a heartfelt statement. She described how handlers spent Perry’s final weeks with him, providing comfort and ensuring he felt loved. “We are all blessed for having known him and we will never, ever forget him,” the statement concluded.

Perry’s legacy extended beyond his role in the community, as he was also pivotal in shaping one of cinema’s most beloved animated characters. Pacific Data Images, the animation studio behind Shrek, visited Barron Park to study Perry’s movements and mannerisms, using them to create the animated Donkey voiced by Eddie Murphy. Despite his contributions, Perry was not credited in the film, and the company reportedly donated only $75 to the Barron Park Donkey Project—a detail that has sparked some criticism over the years.

In addition to his cinematic connection, Perry was a cherished figure in Palo Alto, with the City Council allocating $10,000 to cover his medical expenses during his final years. His passing marks the end of an era for the community, which plans to honor him with a memorial.