Image via Instagram It's a sad day for fans of Shrek. Because everyone's favorite wisecracker Donkey is dead. Well, at least, the real-life inspiration is. Perry the miniature donkey has died at 30. Throughout its long life,

Donkey was the wise-cracking yet thoughtful and kind sidekick of the 'Ogre' voiced by Mike Myers in the movies, and Murphy was nominated for a Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 2

The miniature donkey that was the motion model for Eddie Murphy's character Donkey in the Shrek franchise has died.

"I can attest that many of Donkey’s classic head tilts, eye rolls and bouncy trots were straight from Perry," the animal's handler, Jenny Kiratli, tells PEOPLE

Shrek’s motion model for the donkey character has passed away. The real-life donkey's handler Jenny Kiratli confirmed the passing. He told Palo Alto that Perry died on January 2 after

Perry, the all-star Jerusalem donkey who served as the visual inspiration for Eddie Murphy 's motor-mouthed and dragon-loving character in the animated Shrek franchise (the first three films are now on Peacock ), has died at the age of 30.

The donkey that inspired Eddie Murphy's iconic character in the Shrek franchise has died aged 30.

Perry the donkey, the inspiration for Eddie Murphy ’s character in the film Shrek, has died at the age of 30. The sweet-faced pachyderm was a miniature donkey born in 1994. He resided in Palo Alto, California, from the age of three, likely unaware that his likeness was used to inspire a beloved animated character in a hit franchise.

Perry became a key part of animation history after being sketched and photographed to help animators design Donkey for Shrek.

Perry, a miniature donkey whose handlers said he was used by DreamWorks animators as a model for the chatty “Shrek” character named Donkey, died last week at the age of 30. Jenny Kiratli, lead handler at the Barron Park Donkey Project in Palo Alto,