Perry, one of the world’s most famous donkeys, has died at 30 years old.
Born in New York City in 1994, Perry was best known for modeling for the animators who designed the character of Donkey for the Shrek films.
Perry came to Stanford, California, in the 1990s to be an emotional support animal for polo ponies but found fame through his contributions to the Shrek franchise.
Perry only received $75 for his part in the role, while Eddie Murphy made $3 million for voicing Donkey. But the donkey was catapulted into pop culture stardom.
“It’s evident if you know Perry and watch the movie that it’s him,” Perry’s lead handler, Jenny Kirtali, told SF Gate in 2021. “It’s amazing how much of our donkey is in Donkey, the way he flips his head when he’s mad at Shrek, the way he trots.”
Though Perry was a beloved animal within the Palo Alto community, his medical bills were a major expense for the city’s residents. Administering care to Perry and other donkeys that also lived in the neighborhood was costing taxpayers $25,000 each year.
Last year, that number went up to $39,000 because Perry needed additional care.
Palo Alto Mayor Greer Stone praised the while speaking at a city council meeting last year about a plan to give Perry $10,000.
“I myself—when I taught at Gunn [High School]—took some classes over there and the students just absolutely adored them,” Stone said. “So it is a great opportunity for wellbeing in the community as well to be able to interact with these wonderful animals.”
