Shrek’s Real-Life Donkey Stand-In Dies at 30 – CBR
Perry, the donkey who served as the real-life model for Eddie Murphy’s character in the original Shrek film released in 2001, has died. He was 30 years old, with the Barron Park website noting that donkeys typically live to be 25 to 30 years old in the wild and sometimes into their 40s if cared for by people.Per the Palo Alto Daily Post, Perry’s death was announced by Jenny Kiratli, the lead handler of the Barron Park Donkey Project. Perry had been residing in Barron Park since 1997. In addition to representing Donkey from Shrek, he served as a mascot for the city of Palo Alto, California, and amid his declining health, the City Council spent $10,000 on Perry’s medical bills. The beloved animal’s final moments were detailed in a statement shared by Kiratli.“It is with great sadness that I am reporting the death of the incomparable Perry,” the statement noted. “We are heartbroken with his passing, but recently he had been in increasing pain, suffering from a condition known as laminitis which is not curable. This was the right time (for him) to say goodbye although still too soon for us.”The statement added, “In Perry’s last weeks, handlers spent many hours at the pasture with him, petting him, cradling him, singing to him, and telling him that he was and always will be loved. We are all blessed for having known him and we will never, ever forget him.”An additional statement shared on Instagram along with a memorial photo for Perry reads, “We are heartbroken to share that our beloved Barron Park donkey, Perry, passed away yesterday at the age of 30. He was a beloved member of our community and we know many people will be touched by his passing. Memorial plans will be announced soon.”Perry, who was donated to the pasture in 1997, served as the stand-in for Donkey from Shrek, which came from Pacific Data Images (PDI) visiting the Barron Park Donkey Project. Many pictures were taken of Perry for research on what donkeys look like and how they move, and this was used to bring the animated version of Donkey to life in the movie. Shrek spawned a franchise and has since been established as one of hte most beloved animated films in cinema history, earning over $492 million worldwide and winning the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. However, Perry was not listed in the credits for the film, and the company reportedly donated only $75 to the pasture.More information about the Barron Park Donkey Project can be found on the official website.Source: Palo Alto Daily PostWe want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.Your comment has not been savedThis thread is open for discussion.Be the first to post your thoughts.Cobra Kai star Peyton List’s critically panned 2024 horror film has found huge success on a major streaming platform.Jim Carrey is back as Dr. Robotnik, but the events of Sonic 3 may have ended him for good, & his could promote a big problem for the fourth film.Director David Ayer is working with action star Jason Statham again in A Working Man, immediately after their 2024 film The Beekeeper.Nosferatu star Bill Skarsgård offers an exciting update on the forthcoming sequel to an underrated Nicolas Cage movie from 2005.In Kill Bill Vol. 2, Bill knowing so much about superheroes but misreading Superman isn’t a plot hole but actually brilliant, subtle characterization.Denzel Washington’s Equalizer movies feature amazing action and great performances overall, but the quality of the franchise has fluctuated over time.
