Everyone knows the voice. It’s high-pitched, incredibly fast, and carries a frantic energy that somehow makes a talking animal the emotional heart of a multi-billion dollar franchise. If you’ve ever wondered who plays the donkey in Shrek, the answer is the legendary Eddie Murphy.
But saying "Eddie Murphy" is almost too simple. It doesn’t capture the chaotic magic of how he turned a sidekick into a cultural phenomenon.
Honestly, back in the late 90s, when DreamWorks was just starting to mess around with this weird anti-fairy tale, nobody knew if it would actually work. Animation was Disney's turf. Jeffrey Katzenberg, the co-founder of DreamWorks, had a bit of a chip on his shoulder after leaving Disney, and he needed a win. He got a massive one. Murphy didn't just show up and read lines. He basically redefined what a "voice actor" could be in a big-budget CGI film, moving away from the "cartoonish" voices of the past and bringing a specific, stand-up comedy rhythm to the big screen.
Why Eddie Murphy was the Only Choice for Donkey
Before Shrek hit theaters in 2001, Murphy was already a massive star, but his career was in a weird spot. He’d done The Nutty Professor and Mulan (where he played Mushu), so he was comfortable behind a microphone. However, Donkey was different. The character needed to be annoying but lovable. It’s a hard line to walk. If you’re too annoying, the audience wants Shrek to actually eat you. If you’re too sweet, the comedy dies.
Murphy used a specific cadence for Donkey. It’s a mix of his "Buckwheat" energy from Saturday Night Live and a genuine, vulnerable sincerity.
Think about the "I'm making waffles!" line. It wasn't just a joke; it was a character beat. It showed Donkey's desperate need for companionship. Most people don't realize that Murphy did a lot of improvisation during those recording sessions. The directors would let the tape roll, and Murphy would just riff. That's where the chemistry comes from, even though Mike Myers (Shrek) and Eddie Murphy rarely recorded their lines in the same room.
The Evolution of the Voice
Interestingly, the Donkey we know wasn't the first version. Early development sketches and test animations had a slightly different vibe. But once Murphy signed on, the animators started drawing to his voice. If you look closely at Donkey’s facial expressions—especially that wide, toothy grin—it’s pure Eddie Murphy. They captured his mannerisms.
They also had to balance the cast. You had Mike Myers doing a Scottish accent (which he famously decided to change halfway through production, forcing them to re-record a ton of dialogue) and Cameron Diaz as Fiona. Murphy had to be the high-energy spark plug between them.
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The Casting That Almost Didn't Happen
It’s easy to forget that Shrek had a very troubled production. Originally, Chris Farley was cast as Shrek. He had recorded nearly 80% to 90% of his dialogue before his tragic death in 1997. In those early versions, the dynamic between Shrek and Donkey was totally different. Shrek was younger, more of a "bumbling kid" trying to be a hero.
When Mike Myers took over, the whole tone shifted.
The relationship became a "buddy cop" dynamic. Donkey became the talkative partner to Shrek’s "too old for this" grumpiness. Murphy stayed on through the transition, and his performance actually helped ground the new version of the movie. It’s one of those rare moments in Hollywood where a casting choice survives a total creative overhaul and actually gets better because of it.
Beyond the First Movie
Murphy didn’t just play the role once. He stuck with it for:
- Shrek 2 (2004)
- Shrek the Third (2007)
- Shrek Forever After (2010)
- Various holiday specials like Shrek the Halls
In Shrek 2, he had to share the spotlight with Antonio Banderas’s Puss in Boots. A lot of actors would have gotten protective of their "funny sidekick" status. Not Murphy. He played into the jealousy. The rivalry between Donkey and Puss in Boots is arguably the best part of the sequels. It gave Murphy a chance to show a "petty" side of Donkey that was hilarious.
What Makes the Performance So Good?
It’s the pacing. Truly.
Eddie Murphy has this incredible ability to talk at 100 miles per hour without losing clarity. In the scene where he first meets Shrek and starts singing about "hooking up," the timing is perfect. It’s not just about being loud. It’s about the pauses.
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The "Onions have layers" scene is a perfect example. While Myers is trying to be philosophical, Murphy is playing the "straight man" but in a chaotic way. He’s dissecting Shrek's logic with the mind of a confused animal. It’s brilliant.
Does anyone else play Donkey?
In the movies? No. It’s always been Eddie Murphy.
However, in the Shrek the Musical productions, the role has been played by several talented actors, most notably Daniel Breaker on Broadway. In the spin-off video games or smaller theme park attractions, voice-alike actors are sometimes used if Murphy isn't available, but for the "canon" Shrek universe, it’s 100% Eddie.
There’s been talk for years about a Donkey spin-off movie. Murphy himself has been very vocal about this recently. In interviews, he’s joked (or maybe he’s serious) that Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots and deserves his own origin story. Given how well the recent Puss in Boots: The Last Wish did, a Donkey movie starring Murphy feels almost inevitable at this point.
The Cultural Impact of the Character
When you ask who plays the donkey in Shrek, you’re asking about a character that changed how we look at animated movies. Before this, "funny animals" were often just cute. Donkey was different. He was annoying. He was needy. He was a bit of a fast-talker who might be trying to scam you.
He felt like a real person you’d meet in a comedy club, just... in the body of a donkey.
This performance opened the doors for other huge stars to take animation seriously. It wasn't just a paycheck anymore; it was a way to create a character that would live forever in memes and pop culture. Even today, decades later, kids who weren't even born when the first movie came out can quote Donkey.
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Real World Context
If you look at the career of Eddie Murphy, Donkey is often cited as one of his top three roles, right alongside Axel Foley from Beverly Hills Cop and Prince Akeem from Coming to America. That’s insane when you think about it. An animated donkey is as iconic as one of the greatest R-rated action heroes of the 80s.
That doesn't happen by accident.
It happens because Murphy treated the booth like a stage. He sweated. He yelled. He sang. He gave it everything.
Fact-Checking the Donkey Rumors
There are always weird rumors floating around the internet about Shrek. Some people think the character was based on a real-life donkey named Perry who lived at a park in Palo Alto. This is actually true. The animators studied a miniature donkey named Perry to get the movements and the "look" right.
But the personality? That's all Murphy.
Another common misconception is that Donkey was supposed to be a human who was cursed. While Shrek plays with a lot of fairy tale tropes, the movies never explicitly confirm a "human" backstory for Donkey, although fans love to point out that he seems to know a lot about human things and "donkeys don't talk."
How to Appreciate the Performance Today
If you want to really "see" the work Eddie Murphy put in, go back and watch the first Shrek but turn off the picture for a second. Just listen to the audio.
Notice how he changes his pitch when he’s scared versus when he’s trying to be "cool." It’s a masterclass in vocal acting.
Actionable Steps for Shrek Fans:
- Watch the "Behind the Scenes" footage: DreamWorks released several "In the Recording Booth" clips over the years. Seeing Eddie Murphy actually record the lines—making the faces and waving his arms—adds a whole new layer of appreciation.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Murphy actually sings several songs in the franchise, including "I'm a Believer" and "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)." He’s a legitimately good singer, which he brought to the character.
- Follow the Shrek 5 News: As of late 2024 and heading into 2025/2026, there have been official confirmations that a new Shrek film is in development. Eddie Murphy has already confirmed he has started recording lines for it.
- Check out the Spin-offs: If you’ve only seen the four main movies, look for the shorts like Far Far Away Idol. Murphy’s comedic timing in these smaller snippets is just as sharp.
Knowing who plays the donkey in Shrek is the start of a rabbit hole into one of the most successful transformations in Hollywood history. Eddie Murphy took a four-legged animal and turned him into a legend. Whether he’s talking about noble steeds or complaining about his hooves, Murphy’s voice is the "secret sauce" that made a grumpy ogre’s journey worth watching. Keep an eye out for the upcoming sequels; it looks like we haven't heard the last of that iconic braying laugh just yet.