Telha
An elderly donkey who inspired Eddie Murphy’s iconic Shrek character has received a substantial payout. Pericles, affectionately known as Perry, currently resides at Barron Park Donkey Project in Palo Alto, California, where he has enjoyed a fulfilling life for almost three decades.
Perry was donated to the pasture in 1997 after serving as a calming companion for thoroughbred horses.
When Perry’s companionship was no longer needed, he was relocated to Barron Park Donkeys, where he has lived ever since. As Perry approaches his 30th birthday this weekend, he shares the sanctuary with his close friends, Buddy and April, and was also fond of Niner and Mickey, who have since passed away.
The donkeys are beloved in the area for their charm, but Perry has a unique claim to fame as the inspiration for the character Donkey in the 2001 movie Shrek. Eddie Murphy voiced the character in all three films and even hopes to reprise the role in the future.
According to the sanctuary’s website, DreamWorks-owned Pacific Data Images visited the pasture and took numerous pictures of Perry to study donkey appearances and movements.
While Perry’s likeness was used for Donkey, he did not receive a mention in the movie credits. Donkeys like Perry can live up to 40 years, and as they age, their medical bills increase.
