Donkey

Character: Donkey
Franchise/Universe: Shrek / DreamWorks Universe
First Appearance: Shrek (2001)
Creator(s): DreamWorks Animation
Character Type: Comedic Sidekick / Hero’s Companion
Iconic Quote: “We can stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning… I’m making waffles!”

Donkey Overview

Donkey is the endlessly enthusiastic, quick-talking companion from the Shrek franchise, a character who proves that loyalty, laughter, and heart can come from the most unexpected of places. Voiced by Eddie Murphy in all major appearances, Donkey made his debut in DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek (2001), immediately stealing scenes with his non-stop chatter, boundless optimism, and unforgettable one-liners. Despite his tendency to annoy those around him—especially the grumpy ogre Shrek—Donkey’s endearing nature, fierce loyalty, and comedic brilliance make him one of the most beloved animated sidekicks of all time. Donkey starts off as an outcast, much like Shrek himself, hunted and marked for exile by Lord Farquaad’s kingdom. However, his unshakable friendliness and need for companionship eventually win over Shrek, forging one of animation’s most iconic friendships. Throughout the franchise, Donkey proves himself more than comic relief. He supports Shrek on quests, helps rescue Princess Fiona, and even falls in love with and marries a dragon—an absurdly charming arc that only Donkey could pull off. His unique ability to transform into a noble steed after drinking a Happily Ever After potion also gives him a moment of unexpected grace and self-confidence. Whether he’s belting out catchy renditions of pop hits, cheering Shrek through emotional turmoil, or annoying him to the brink of madness, Donkey is the heart and humor of the Shrek universe. He’s a sidekick who refuses to stay on the sidelines, and his character has resonated with audiences for decades because of his honesty, persistence, and hilarious unpredictability.

Top 10 Donkey Fun Facts

1. Donkey was inspired by Pericles, a talking donkey from the 1990 children’s book Shrek! by William Steig.
2. Eddie Murphy’s performance was largely improvised, adding spontaneity to Donkey’s dialogue.
3. Donkey is one of the few characters who instantly accepts Shrek without judgment.
4. His romance with Dragon was originally written as a running gag but became a key subplot.
5. Donkey sings in every Shrek movie—his musical numbers are often fan favorites.
6. He is the first character to call out Shrek’s loneliness and help him grow emotionally.
7. In Shrek 2, Donkey temporarily becomes a white stallion—a fan-favorite transformation.
8. His kids with Dragon are called “Dronkeys” (dragon-donkey hybrids).
9. Despite being comedic, Donkey often delivers the emotional anchor in key scenes.
10. Donkey’s waffles line was so iconic it was turned into memes, merchandise, and theme park slogans.

Voice Actor for Donkey

Eddie Murphy (2001–present, all major films, specials, and games)

Donkey’s Key Powers / Abilities / Skills

• Supernatural Endurance: Can withstand incredible physical and emotional stress, often bouncing back immediately.
• Talkative Persuasion: Uses constant chatter to disarm, distract, and charm even the grumpiest characters.
• Friendship Alchemy: Forms deep emotional bonds even with unlikely allies, including ogres and dragons.
• Singing Talent: Performs popular songs with surprising pitch and flair.
• Hybrid Parenting: Fathers and raises Dronkeys with love and enthusiasm.
• Potion-Induced Transformation: Briefly turns into a majestic white stallion with increased agility and charisma.
• Comic Timing Mastery: Perfect punchlines at the right moment—always the heart of comedic rhythm.

Visual Evolution

• 2001: Introduced in Shrek with realistic fur textures, expressive eyes, and a cartoony-proportioned face.
• 2004: Slight texture upgrades in Shrek 2, especially during his white stallion transformation.
• 2007: In Shrek the Third, Donkey’s model features smoother animation and improved lighting.
• 2010: Shrek Forever After brings subtle realism enhancements, including finer hair detail and richer facial animation.
• 2011–2023: Appears in Puss in Boots tie-ins and holiday specials with consistent DreamWorks styling.
• Theme Parks & Merch: Rendered in plush-style or animated shorts, slightly simplified but instantly recognizable.

Famous Story Arcs & Films

• Shrek (2001): Donkey befriends Shrek, aids in rescuing Fiona, and confronts a fire-breathing dragon.
• Shrek 2 (2004): A love potion transforms Donkey into a stallion, and he helps Shrek win back Fiona.
• Shrek the Third (2007): Joins the royal quest for Arthur, deals with fatherhood and magical mishaps.
• Shrek Forever After (2010): Helps Shrek escape an alternate reality where their friendship never happened.
• Shrek the Halls & Scared Shrekless: Leads humorous segments in holiday specials.
• Shrek Video Games: A playable character with unique comedic combat and dialogue lines.
• Broadway’s Shrek: The Musical: Donkey is reimagined with theatrical flair and added musical numbers.

Trivia on Donkey

1. Donkey’s love for waffles was never part of the original script—it was an Eddie Murphy ad-lib.
2. His character model was one of the most complex in early 2000s CGI, particularly for hair and expressions.
3. Donkey has become a meme symbol for enthusiastic sidekicks and clingy best friends.
4. He is the only major character in Shrek never to be visibly afraid of Fiona’s ogre form.
5. DreamWorks considered several voice actors before Eddie Murphy, including Chris Rock.
6. Donkey’s singing was so popular, it led to the creation of dedicated music CDs and special editions.
7. His “are we there yet?” bit in Shrek 2 was based on real-life road trip humor.
8. Donkey’s children (Dronkeys) are canonically named Eclair, Bananas, Debbie, Peanut, Coco, and Parfait.
9. He is one of few DreamWorks characters to appear in Universal theme park attractions worldwide.
10. Despite being in a fantasy setting, Donkey references real-world concepts like The Matrix, Star Wars, and The Flintstones.

Related Characters

• Shrek (best friend and reluctant travel companion)
• Princess Fiona (trusted friend and family figure)
• Dragon (his wife and fire-breathing soulmate)
• Dronkeys (his six hybrid children)
• Puss in Boots (frenemy turned close ally)
• Lord Farquaad (initial pursuer and enemy)
• King Harold & Queen Lillian (royal in-laws through friendship)