Perry, a Jerusalem miniature donkey, was first brought to California to help calm polo ponies, but instead he nipped at them, according to the project’s website. So in 1997, the “spunky” 3-year-old was brought to Palo Alto’s Bol Park to live in a pasture set aside for donkeys to graze.

The miniature donkey served as the model for Eddie Murphy's character in the movie franchise. Perry, Who Inspired Shrek’s Donkey Character, Dies at 30 Surrounded By His Donkey Friends

The inspiration for Eddie Murphy's beloved donkey from the Shrek movies has died. Although Murphy is 100 percent responsible for the personality of the donkey (just named "Donkey") the appearance of the animated equine was based on one very specific real-life donkey.

Born as Pericles in New York City in 1994, Perry was known for his playful and talkative nature. He became the ideal inspiration for Donkey, the character voiced by Eddie Murphy in the Shrek films. Perry’s energetic personality and charm were reflected in the animated character,

A REAL-life donkey that inspired Eddie Murphy’s character in Shrek has died aged 30. Born in New York in 1994, Perry rose to fame after animators modelled the Donkey character in the

Perry — the miniature donkey who was the animation model for the iconic character voiced by Eddie Murphy in the movie Shrek — has died.

Donkey may not have made waffles in the morning — that last part in Eddie Murphy’s voice — without the help of Perry the Donkey. According to a report from the New York Times, Perry the Donkey, who served as the reference for the Eddie Murphy-voiced character in ‘Shrek,

Known as the inspiration for the character Donkey, voiced by comedy legend Eddie Murphy in the 2001 animated classic “Shrek,” Perry was a beloved staple in the Palo Alto community, remembered for his colorful personality and strong-willed charm.