Donkey’s Voice Was Inspired by a 1940s Comedian and a Boxing Legend

Eddie Murphy’s iconic performance as Donkey blends two unexpected influences: the rapid-fire delivery of comedian Stepin Fetchit and the charismatic swagger of Muhammad Ali. Murphy channeled Fetchit’s laid-back, drawling cadence for Donkey’s comedic timing, then added Ali’s theatrical bravado to inject energy and charm. This mix created the character’s signature mix of sly wit and infectious enthusiasm. Fun fact: Murphy initially resisted voicing Donkey, thinking it was too similar to his stand-up persona, but director Andrew Adamson convinced him by comparing it to a Shakespearean jester role.

He Was Supposed to Be Silent (and Sad) in the Original Book

William Steig’s Shrek! (1990) portrays Donkey as a shy, introspective creature who barely speaks and pines for a friend. In the book, Shrek’s first words to him are, “Are you looking for something?”—a stark contrast to the movie’s chatty, boundary-pushing Donkey. The filmmakers deliberately flipped the script, turning Donkey into a relentless talker to create dynamic tension with Shrek’s grumpy solitude. This change made their friendship more emotionally resonant, proving that opposites attract—even in the swamp.

Donkey Is the Only One Who Can Communicate with Dragon

When Shrek and Fiona face the fiery Dragon guarding Fiona’s tower, she immediately attacks everyone… except Donkey. He’s the only one who can calm her down, flirting with her and eventually winning her over. This isn’t just a one-off joke—it’s a running gag. In Shrek 2, Donkey reveals he’s still the only one who understands her screeches (“She’s saying, ‘I’m a flight risk’”). The animators built this quirk into their relationship to highlight Donkey’s innate ability to connect with others, even when they’re literally breathing fire.

His Design Borrowed from Renaissance Art (and Real Donkeys)

Donkey’s look isn’t just cartoony—he’s rooted in Italian Renaissance paintings. The animators studied Renaissance frescoes, using warm earth tones and soft lighting to give him depth. They also visited Tuscian farms to observe real donkeys, noting how their eyes widen when startled or curious. This blend of art history and realism explains why Donkey feels oddly lifelike. His oversized eyes and floppy ears? A deliberate exaggeration to amplify his expressiveness, making every wide-eyed panic or sly grin pop onscreen.

When He Turned into a “Real Horse,” He Became a 1980s Rock Video Star

In Shrek 2, the Fairy Godmother’s magic transforms Donkey into a “real horse”—a white stallion with a flowing mane and a penchant for posing. The scene’s over-the-top drama, complete with slow-motion mane flips and a parody of “I’m a Survivor,” was a deliberate nod to 1980s power ballad music videos. Eddie Murphy ad-libbed most of Donkey’s lines in this sequence, riffing on his own physical comedy. The animators had to redraw his tail multiple times to make it flow like a Stallion from a Whitesnake video.

He’s Got a Secret Talent: Opera Singing

During a deleted scene from Shrek the Third, Donkey belts out a dramatic opera aria while trapped in a cage. Though the moment didn’t make the final cut, it’s a nod to Eddie Murphy’s vocal range. The filmmakers kept the recording, and you can hear a snippet of it in the “Donkey’s Top Secrets” bonus feature. This flair for the dramatic isn’t random—Donkey’s operatic tendencies surface in Shrek 2 when he sings off-key during the “I Need a Hero” sequence.

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Ready to dive deeper into Donkey’s world? Chat with him on HoloDream—he’s got more jokes, stories, and opinions on Dragon’s “dramatic flair” than you can handle.