Donkey (Shrek) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Donkey
Shrek character
First appearance	Shrek! (1990 picture book) Shrek (2001 film)
Created by	William Steig
Voiced by	Eddie Murphy (films; 2001–present) Mark Moseley (Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party, video games) Dean Edwards (TV specials; 2010–2011) Antonio Banderas (when switched with Puss; 2007) Eugenio Derbez (Latin American Spanish) Med Hondo (French) Nanni Baldini (Italian) Koichi Yamadera (Japanese)
Information
Species	Donkey
Gender	Male
Family	Donkey Senior (great-grandfather) Great-Great Grampy Don-Don (great-great-uncle) Unnamed mother Unnamed grandmother
Spouse(s)	Dragon
Children	Debbie, Coco, Bananas, Peanut, Parfait & Eclair

Donkey is a fun character created by William Steig. He was brought to life by DreamWorks Animation for the popular Shrek movies. The famous actor Eddie Murphy provides his voice.

Donkey is a talking donkey. His look was inspired by a real miniature donkey named Perry. He has grey fur, brown eyes, and a black mane. In the Shrek stories, he is the best friend and helper to Shrek. He is also married to Dragon and is the father of their unique children, the Dronkeys. Donkey is known for being the funny character in the series. Critics often praise him for his cleverness, wisdom, and humor.

Donkey in the Shrek Films

Shrek (2001)

Donkey first appeared in the 2001 film Shrek. He was being sold by his owner to Lord Farquaad's knights. Donkey's special power was his ability to talk. He managed to escape and soon met Shrek.

Shrek was annoyed by Donkey's constant talking. But he slowly started to like him. Donkey asked to stay with Shrek because he had nowhere else to go. Shrek finally agreed, but only for one night.

Later, Shrek found many fairy tale creatures living in his swamp. Lord Farquaad had forced them out of their homes. Donkey was the only one who knew where Farquaad was. So, Shrek decided to go with him.

When they arrived, Farquaad made his men fight Shrek in an arena. Farquaad wanted to find a champion to bring him Princess Fiona. Shrek and Donkey defeated Farquaad's men. Farquaad then chose Shrek to be his champion. Shrek only wanted his swamp back. Farquaad offered him a deal: get Fiona, and Shrek would get his swamp. Shrek agreed, and Donkey joined him on the quest.

At the castle, Donkey accidentally got the attention of the fire-breathing dragon. Shrek escaped, but Donkey was trapped. He complimented the dragon, who he found out was female. The dragon was very pleased. She took him to her lair. Shrek rescued Donkey before things went too far. They barely escaped with the Princess.

One night, Donkey asked Shrek why he seemed to hate everyone. Shrek explained that people always judged him as a scary monster. Donkey said he knew there was more to Shrek from the start. Donkey then noticed that Fiona and Shrek were falling in love.

The next night, Donkey went into a windmill to talk to Fiona. He discovered that she turned into an ogre after sunset. Shrek overheard them talking. He misunderstood their conversation, thinking Fiona was insulting him. The next day, Shrek was angry with Fiona. Lord Farquaad then arrived to take her away.

Donkey tried to explain the situation to Shrek. But Shrek also got angry with Donkey. Hurt, Donkey claimed his half of the swamp. They had a big argument. Donkey finally explained that Fiona did not call Shrek ugly. They then made up. Donkey brought the dragon to Fiona's wedding. The dragon ate Farquaad. After Shrek saved Fiona, Donkey sang "I'm a Believer" at their wedding party. He also married Dragon. Later, Donkey sang "Baby Got Back" at a karaoke party.

Shrek 2 (2004)

Donkey as a magnificent stallion

Donkey was staying at Shrek's house when Shrek and Fiona returned from their honeymoon. Shrek told Donkey to leave. Donkey said he was having problems with Dragon. He decided to move back in with Shrek and Fiona. Shrek made him leave again.

As Shrek and Fiona were having a quiet moment, Donkey returned. He said a royal chariot had arrived. A messenger invited the newlyweds to a royal ball. Fiona's parents wanted to celebrate their marriage. Shrek did not want to go. He knew Fiona's parents would not accept them as ogres. But he eventually agreed. Donkey went with them to the Far Far Away kingdom. He kept asking, "Are we there yet?"

Donkey then met Puss in Boots. He became jealous because Shrek spent a lot of time with Puss. By the end of the movie, they became good friends. At one point, Donkey said he was the donkey traded by Jack for magic beans.

Donkey and Shrek drank a "Happily Ever After" potion. Shrek turned into a handsome human. Donkey became a magnificent white stallion. He still had his buck teeth and voice. The bottle warned against nervous disorders. Everyone stared at Donkey, hinting he might have one, but he didn't understand why.

Shrek and Puss rode Donkey back to the castle. Fiona, who also turned human, came out to find Shrek. Donkey explained what happened. Shrek came back out heartbroken. Charming and the Fairy Godmother had tricked Fiona. Shrek, Donkey, and Puss went to a bar. They overheard Fiona's father, Harold, talking to Fairy Godmother. Donkey accidentally spoke loudly, revealing them.

They were caught and arrested. Other fairy tale creatures helped them escape. Gingy made a giant Gingerbread man named Mongo. Donkey helped lead Mongo to the castle. They got in, but Mongo was defeated.

After their mission, Donkey and Shrek returned to their normal forms. Donkey was sad to be a donkey again. Shrek told him he was still a noble steed. Donkey later sang "Livin' la Vida Loca" with Puss. After the movie credits, Donkey reunited with Dragon. He met their newborn children, the Dronkeys. Donkey exclaimed, "I gotta get a job!" He later sang "Disco Inferno" for a talent show.

Shrek the Third (2007)

Donkey was enjoying being a father in Shrek the Third. He was still Shrek's closest friend and helper. When Far Far Away needed a new king, Donkey went with Shrek. They searched for Fiona's cousin, Arthur Pendragon, also called Artie. Artie was at a boarding school.

During their magical trip back, Donkey and Puss accidentally switched bodies. Puss thought Donkey's four-legged body was awful. Donkey couldn't understand how Puss walked so gracefully. They had to work together to save Far Far Away. Prince Charming was trying to take over. After Charming was defeated, Merlin changed them back. For a moment, their tails were switched. Donkey was later seen playing with Shrek's new ogre triplets.

Donkey was last seen in the credits. He performed "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" with Puss for the ogre triplets.

Shrek Forever After (2010)

In the fourth film, Donkey often brought his Dronkeys to Shrek's swamp. This annoyed Shrek because it caused daily chaos. Donkey accidentally helped ruin Shrek's babies' birthday party.

In Rumplestiltskin's alternate world, Donkey first met Shrek. Donkey was pulling a wagon where Shrek was imprisoned. Witches made Donkey sing by whipping him. Shrek escaped and took Donkey with him. At first, Donkey was scared of Shrek and ran away. But he came back after seeing Shrek cry over his babies' toy. Donkey had never seen an ogre cry. He decided to trust Shrek and became his friend.

Donkey also proved to be very smart. He helped Shrek find a way out of Rumplestiltskin's contract. He compared Shrek's situation to The Twilight Zone. Donkey and Shrek met Fiona, Puss, and a group of ogres in the woods. Donkey became friends with Puss in Boots and the ogres.

Donkey later saved Shrek and Fiona from the Pied Piper. Puss had urged him to do so. Then, Donkey led the attack on Rumplestiltskin's castle. After Rumplestiltskin was defeated, Donkey sadly watched. Shrek began to disappear into pixie dust as his time ran out.

In the end, reality was restored. Donkey celebrated Shrek's children's birthday. Later, he was seen with Dragon, who playfully "gobbled" him up. Finally, he and the other characters were seen making a mud angel.

Other Appearances

Donkey also appeared in the 2007 Christmas special Shrek The Halls. He tried to help Shrek get into the Christmas spirit. Eddie Murphy voiced Donkey in this special.

He was also in the 2010 Halloween special Scared Shrekless. Shrek challenged his friends to spend the night in Lord Farquaad's castle. They had to tell scary stories. Dean Edwards voiced Donkey in this special. This was the first time Eddie Murphy did not voice him. Donkey also appeared in a short film released with Shrek Forever After.

Donkey appears in Shrek the Musical. Daniel Breaker first played the role on Broadway. Alan Mingo, Jr. played him on the U.S. national tour. Richard Blackwood played the role in the West End production.

Donkey also made an appearance in an episode of Father of the Pride. Eddie Murphy voiced him again. Two Donkeys appeared: one was a stunt double, and the other was the actual Donkey. In this episode, Donkey was shown as an arrogant actor. He played his Shrek character in the film series.

Donkey is the main focus of the Donkey Live! attraction. This is at the Universal Studios Singapore theme park. It's a show where Donkey interacts with the audience. He performs stand-up comedy with a live actor.

Donkey also appears in many YouTube DreamWorks original videos. Jason Lewis voices him there.

In the animated film Donkey Xote, the main character Rucio looks a lot like Donkey.

Images for kids

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  Perry, a miniature donkey in Palo Alto, California, was used as the model for Donkey.