Donkey is the deuteragonist of DreamWorks Animation's Shrek franchise. He is a talkative and wise-cracking donkey who befriends an ogre named Shrek and would later become his best friend and sidekick after they rescued Princess Fiona from the Dragon's keep, whom the former soon falls in love with the Dragon and they both become parents of Dragon/Donkey hybrid babies, the Dronkeys.

Background

Not much is known about Donkey, though he mentions in Shrek 2, after being asked by Shrek to think of the saddest thing that ever happened to him, he mentions that he was sold for some magic beans and that he was pinned a tail on at a party, then the guests got drunk and started shouting Pinata, pinata, pinata. Presumably was later given to the Old woman who was his owner at the start of the first film.

Development

Donkey was modeled after Perry (1994 – 2025), a miniature donkey who lived in Cornelius Bol Park in Palo Alto, California, after a failed career working with polo ponies. In 1999, animator Rex Grignon paid $75 to bring a group of animators to the pasture for several hours to observe and record Perry, using this data to create the Donkey character. Grignon worked for Pacific Data Images, which had been contracted by DreamWorks Animation.

Perry's role in Shrek is uncredited and has been treated as an urban legend in Palo Alto. In 2024, law students at nearby Stanford University campaigned for DreamWorks to recognize Perry but did not receive a response.

In 2024, Perry was 29 years old (elderly for a donkey) and faced costly medical treatment for several age-related conditions. Local community organizing led the Palo Alto City Council to approve a $10,000 grant for care costs of such a famous donkey, though there was debate about whether it was financially responsible to give that much money to a donkey.

Perry died on January 2, 2025, at the age of 30. He was euthanized due to laminitis, a condition that caused intense pain in his heels.

Voice

The donkey is a traditional character in folktales, serving as the fool who exposes the foolishness of other characters. An example of this is Bottom from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Donkey's characterization was praised by critics, calling him "hilarious" and "the highlight of the film". He represents an instinctual wisdom or "gut knowledge" that is essential to helping both Shrek and Fiona. His folk wisdom breaks through Shrek's layers of masculinity to help him integrate better with other people, including women.

Nevertheless, due to being voiced by Eddie Murphy, Donkey was noted as being similar to black sidekicks paired with white male stars in films such as Lethal Weapon (1987) and Die Hard (1988). He has been criticized as drawing on racial stereotypes of African Americans, both as a sidekick and due to his cowardly, comedic personality. Murphy's casting as a "servile" beast of burden was condemned for its racist undertones.

Personality

Contrary to his species' stubborn stereotypes, Donkey is a hyperactive, simple-minded chatterbox, whimsical, and sociable to a fault. He enjoys singing, idle chatter and often speaks ebonics, and while rarely ill-intentioned can prove rather oblivious and irritating those around him (especially Shrek). Donkey is also often quite gutless and tends to freak out in the face of danger, which often proves trying in emergencies while coupled with his impatience and short attention span. Some of Donkey's foibles include noisiness, acrophobia, colorblindness, hypochondria (fear of illness), and gutlessness. For these reasons and more, Donkey can prove to be somewhat of a (dense, irritating, miniature beast of) burden while journeying with others.

However, there's one thing Donkey is very obstinate about - making friends. Despite his many flaws, Donkey is a steadfast character whose friendliness comes from a place of genuine kindness, and it's been proven several times that his insistence on becoming friends with others can be not only effective, but bring the best out of even the most hostile of recipients, something best seen in both his best friend Shrek and his eventual wife, Dragon. He's also shown to be a surprisingly good listener, lending an ear and comfort to both Shrek and Fiona's problems on multiple occasions and even acting as a secret-keeper for the latter regarding her curse for a short while. While necessary though, Donkey can be ill-tempered and confrontational, most famously seen during his bitter fight with Shrek after he gave up on Fiona for a very short time, where he harshly called the ogre out in regards to his unbridled callousness and pridefulness. Notably, Donkey remained gracious to the point of seeming not to mind Shrek's flaws throughout almost the entirety of the adventure until this moment, showcasing a surprising level of patience for those he cares about.

Donkey's positive traits can be observed well in his relationship with his family as well, including his kids. Compared to Shrek, Donkey adapted smoothly to parenthood and was ecstatic over the news, and his exuberant personality made him well-prepared for raising a brood as chaotic and playful as the Dronkeys, though he struggles to keep them under control every now and then. Nonetheless, Donkey has been proven to make a surprisingly good father, and he shares a mutually affectionate relationship with his offspring, who are known to lovingly tackle their father on sight.

Donkey has a sweet tooth in addition, and enjoys such foods as parfait, cake, waffles (his favorite), and "upside-down coconut souffle with mango chutney sauce". and his love of food is so great that all of his kids (sans Debbie) would be named after various edible items.

Physical Appearance

He is depicted with grey fur, brown eyes, and a black mane. In the franchise, he is the sidekick and best friend of Shrek, husband to Dragon, and father to a litter of Dronkeys (Dragon-Donkeys).

In colour Donkey ranges from white to gray or black and usually has a dark stripe from mane to tail and a crosswise stripe on the shoulders. The mane is short and upright and the tail, with long hairs only at the end, is more cowlike than horselike. The very long ears are dark at the base and tip.

After becoming a white stallion, Donkey still had the same look as he had as a donkey. A truly white horse has a uniform white coat, pink unpigmented skin, and light hooves; their eyes can be dark or blue. Unlike a gray horse, which starts pigmented and lightens with age, a true white horse is born white and its color never changes. True white horses are very rare, and most horses that appear white are genetically gray horses that have completely lost pigment in their coat over time.

Powers and Abilities

Donkey really has no powers, but is really good at talking to other animals and even humans, especially ogres like Shrek. People could get annoyed with his talkative behavior and would prefer his humming like Shrek when they were on their way to rescue Fiona from the Dragon's Keep.

Appearances

Shrek

Donkey first makes his debut at a sale of animal or mythical characters from beloved fairy-tales being sold to the evil ruler of Duloc, Lord Farquaad's knights. His owner, an old woman, attempts to sell Donkey, claiming he can talk intelligently. Donkey watches fearfully of how other fairy tale creatures were being caged up, that he begged the old lady not sell and promised to never be stubborn again, only for the old lady to shut him up while waiting in line and came after when Mister Geppetto sold his own son and creation, Pinocchio. However, Donkey refuses to speak so no one believes her. The business owner sends his guards to rid him of her, then magic pixie dust accidentally is unleashed upon Donkey from a caged fairy, thus giving him the temporary ability to fly, he flies off saying "You might have seen a housefly, maybe even a superfly, but I bet you ain't never seen a donkey fly!". However, the spell unleashed upon Donkey then wears off and he falls to the ground. Now that they know he can talk, The Captain quickly orders the guards to seize donkey as he lays on the ground, only for the animal to get up quickly, avoiding to be captured and runs fast into the forest with the guards on his tail.

Suddenly, while running away from the guards, Donkey accidentally bumps into an ogre named Shrek who was putting Keep Out signs in the forest. While being shocked at seeing Shrek, he was only scared of being followed and hides behind the ogre, while the captain tries to arrest them both by the orders of Lord Farquaad, but all guards, including the captain are frightened away by Shrek. When he was finally free, Donkey told Shrek that he was impressed by how he scared the guards away, while the ogre was confused of how he was talking to a donkey that spread the words out, and told him to celebrate his freedom with his own friends, therefore Donkey admits that he has no friends. To repay him, Donkey decided to become his friend, much to the chagrin of Shrek who preferred to live alone and thus tries to scare him away too. It doesn't work and Donkey merely comments that Shrek needs some Tic-Tacs. On their way to Shrek's house, Donkey keeps talking (& singing) consistently, which annoys Shrek. When they get there, Donkey pleads to Shrek to let him stay. Shrek begrudgingly agrees, but says that he can only stay for one night and must sleep outside.

Sitting alone outside singing with saddens of not being very welcomed into the house, Donkey has been on Shrek's doorsteps all day, ever since the sun got low and the moon rises up, and he could watch Shrek from the inside eating dinner all alone before getting some rest right next to the door. But it wasn't until he again encountered all the fairy tale creatures that have been banished to Shrek's swamp, much to the ogres frustration and confusion as he thought anyone would get the signs that he put up. When Shrek looked at Donkey, believing that he invited them here, Donkey explained that it wasn't him who brought them here, until Pinocchio explained that no one invited them, but the person who banished them from their homes and to the swamp did. When Shrek asked whoever banished them to his home, one of the Three Little Pigs tells him that it was Lord Farquaad who banished them to the swamp, and when Shrek asked if anyone knows where Farquaad lives, he tried to beg for anyone else but Donkey to know where he is, and has no choice but to allow Donkey to tag along with him to Duloc, but would not allow him to sing, but humming instead as they both go and find Farquaad to get all the fairy tale creatures of Shrek's land and back where they came from.

The duo finally arrived in Duloc and are ready to confront Farquaad. However, the whole place was empty and quiet, until Donkey finds a booth that gives people an information and pulls the lever where wooden Duloc dolls sings a song of welcoming people to Duloc, and a picture of Shrek and Donkey was than taken after the booth closes. Soon, they found Lord Farquaad giving a speech to his knights, until he witnessed Donkey and Shrek on the battlefield. When Farquaad found Shrek being hideous due to his ogre appearance, he thought he was talking about Donkey and said it wasn't very nice as it was just a donkey, much to his confusion. Soon, Farquaad ordered his knights to kill Shrek who later fought them off, while Donkey hides, but later joins Shrek in defeating all the knights, thus the two begin to bond. When they won, Farquaad had his archers point at them both, but later changed his mind and declared Shrek as a winner of embarking on a great and noble quest, while the two were facing of Lord Farquaad, Shrek said he was already on a quest of getting his swamp back from the fairytale creatures. Farquaad made a deal with Shrek about getting his swamp back if he and Donkey go on this quest to fight a Dragon and rescue Princess Fiona from its keep. Shrek accepts and Donkey keeps encountering him.

They walked through a farm where Donkey kept reminding Shrek that he's going to fight a dragon and rescue a princess, just so Farquaad could give him his swamp back that he lost, because he filled it with wanted fairy tale creatures, but Shrek got even more annoyed with Donkey, as he said there could be a good reason why donkeys shouldn't talk. When Donkey asked Shrek why he didn't just make Farquaad give him his swamp back, showing him what ogres really do, like throttle Farquaad or lay siege to his fortress, grind his bones to make his bread, Shrek said maybe it was best if he decapitated an entire village and put their heads on a pike, gotten a knife, cut open their spleen and drink their fluids, but Donkey was very uncomfortable with that and thought it didn't sound good. Shrek also told Donkey that ogres are like onions, because they both have layers, but Donkey didn't get it very well, and knew not everybody liked onions and begin to talk about cakes or parfaits, but Shrek angrily told him that ogres are not like any of those things, and that they are like onions, and would prefer Donkey's humming while setting out to rescue Princess Fiona.

The duo walked for days to reached out for the Dragon's Keep so they can rescue Princess Fiona for Lord Farquaad as they finally arrived after Shrek could smell a brimstone, while Donkey believed he was farting and was told that he'd be dead if it was Shrek's farting. However after seeing all the lava and where the tower Princess Fiona was kept, Donkey was uncomfortable about walking across the bridge surrounded by a hot boiling lava, but Shrek who could see that he was afraid of heights, said he'll be right behind him as they walk and tells Donkey not to look down. However, after stepping on a part of the bridge that broke, Donkey looked down and panicked as he'd rather going back, despite being halfway and knows that half is safe. Then Shrek begins to shake the bridge to frighten Donkey so that he would keep going rather than going back. While begging Shrek to stop and believing he was going to die, Donkey safely managed to walk across the bridge backwards and Shrek told him he've done a good job. So when Donkey asked where the fire-breathing pain-in-the-neck way, Shrek thought he was talking about the princess and tells him that she's inside and waiting for them to come and rescue them, until Donkey told him that he was talking about the dragon as they both walked in.

The Dragon's Keep was dark and abounded with nothing to see but the skeletons of the other knights who ended up being killed by the dragon while trying to reach for the tower and rescue Princess Fiona. Donkey was a little terrified of this creepy place, while Shrek had nothing to fear for being an ogre while donkey is a fearful prey who accidentally hit a knight's armor that Shrek decided to use to disguise himself as a knight so the princess won't see his ogre face and tells Donkey to go and find any stairs. When Donkey does so, he witnessed the eye of the dragon and begins to run away while being chased by the fire-breathing monster. After accidentally getting his tail burned, Shrek managed to grab Dragon's tail to defend Donkey, but he gets thrown away into the air and lands on the rooftop of the tower, wakening Princess Fiona up. Donkey tries to escape Dragon, but gets trapped on the bridge watching it in fear. Donkey then becomes impressed by its teeth and was surprised that Dragon was actually a female and saw it as Girl Dragon. Despite flirting with Dragon, Donkey knew it wouldn't work if she smoked rings and stuff. But when Donkey tries to call for Shrek, Dragon grabs him by its tail and takes him away. After Shrek managed to rescue Princess Fiona from the tower, he sets off to rescue Donkey who was held by Dragon in its tail and was nearly getting a kiss by it. Shrek frees Donkey and they escape the Dragon's Keep with Fiona who not only was shocked to see him talk but as Shrek's noble steed. When Donkey found it hilarious that Fiona believes Shrek is her true love, he felt disappointed that it was so much for noble steed when the princess called him Shrek's pet after seeing his true face.

While walking in the forest, Donkey talks to Fiona who being carried by Shrek when she'd rather be rescued by Lord Farquaad or a real knight, they needed to find somewhere to camp under Fiona's demand, which makes Donkey also believe her that there are bandits in the forest. One night after saving a cave for Fiona, Shrek and Donkey made a fire together watching the stars, and when Donkey asked him how they are going to get their swamp back after they're thrown with Rescuing the Princess Stuff, Shrek was confused when Donkey referred to the swamp being theirs and then told him that there is no them or theirs, just him and his swamp and would build a ten foot wall around his land. Cut deep by his words, Donkey knew this wall thing was just to keep everybody out before thinking it was one of those onion things. When Shrek tries to ignore Donkey's questions, he snaps and tells him that he is keeping everyone in the world out of his way, because he is an ogre feared by others, calling himself a big, stupid, ugly ogre who knew people judge him before even knowing him, which is the reason he's better off alone. But Donkey then told him the day they met, he didn't think he was a big stupid ugly ogre, which Shrek agrees with as they both watch the moon together.

Next morning, while asleep, Fiona made some eggs for the duo, because she heard Donkey and Shrek's talk last night, and decided to make it up for Shrek and finally accepts him as her rescuer. While walking in the forest, Donkey was not happy when Shrek burped in front of Fiona, until he found her even nasty when she burped herself. They were then harassed by Monsieur Hood and his merry men who attempts to "rescue" Fiona from Shrek and they all begin to sing a song about themselves and Monsieur Hood attempts to use his knife against Shrek while finishing the song, but Fiona who found their song being very annoyed knocks him out and uses her martial arts to defeat all the merry men, much to Shrek and Donkey's shock and impression. When Shrek had an arrow in his butt, Donkey feared that Shrek was dying, but Fiona tells him to calm down and find blue flowers with red thorns, which was only to make him walk and calm himself. When Donkey managed to find what Fiona asked about after hearing Shrek screaming in pain, he faints after Fiona pulls the arrow out, believing he saw blood, so Shrek carries him while they keep going. When Shrek and Fiona begin to bond very well, they were now this close to Duloc, but Fiona was worried about Donkey who believed nothing was wrong with him before accidentally cracking his neck. While setting out camp, Shrek and Fiona ate weedrats and nearly shared a kiss together, before being disturbed by Donkey who reminded them of the sunset and could see that Fiona was afraid of the dark, which he is also afraid off. Before going to sleep in the windmill, Donkey knew they both had feelings for each other, but Shrek tells him that he is only going to take her to Farquaad and that it won't work out between them, because Fiona is a princess and Shrek is an ogre.

During the night, Donkey decided to enter the windmill and check on Fiona, wondering if she was all right, or they should discuss about her having feelings for Shrek. No answers from the princess, Donkey saw everything was so spooky inside the mill after hearing birds flying and cracks inside. When something fell on the ground, Donkey yells in fear after seeing an ogress, believing she ate Fiona and calls for her in the stomach and tries to call out for Shrek, but when the ogress silences him, she reveals to him that she is the princess. Donkey was shocked to see Fiona as a female ogre and believed it was because of the rats she ate, but Fiona told him that she've been like this since she remembered herself and it only happens when the sun lays down. When Donkey believed she was making a poem, Fiona tells him that it was a spell and a witch caused it on her when she was a little girl, and every night, she turns into this horribly ugly beast, which is also the reason why she was sent to the Dragon's Keep, so she could be rescued by her true love and share true love's kiss with him, which is also the reason she has to marry Farquaad tomorrow. When Fiona begin to cry, Donkey tries to cheer her up and tells her she isn't that ugly and thought she could share her feelings for Shrek for being alike. But Fiona tells him that she is a princess and they should not look like an ogre and wonders who would marry some kind of ugly and hideous creature which is the reason why she can't be with Shrek and pleaded Donkey not to tell him anything, which the former agrees to.

Next morning, Donkey wakes up seeing Lord Farquaad's guards walking pas him and could hear talking, while pretending like he didn't say anything. Fiona attempted to tell Shrek about her curse, but it was too late when the sun rises up and she becomes human again, but Shrek was angry, cause he heard Donkey and Fiona talking last night, before thinking they were talking about him being an ugly, hideous creature. Farquaad gives Shrek his swamp back and takes Fiona to his castle to prepare for their wedding before the sun sets, and Donkey tries to tell Shrek about what happened last night, but Shrek cuts him off, saying that he hard the two talking and thought they were great pals like he and Shrek would have become. When Shrek said it was best if Donkey follows her along while believing they are close, Donkey wanted to with Shrek, but he angrily told him that he is not coming home with him, also referring to that he lives alone in the swamp he owes alone with nobody else, especially useless, pathetic, annoying, talking donkeys, which was really hurtful as Shrek angrily and hurt disowns Donkey when he believed he was involved with Fiona's "judge" against him. While walking sadly and alone in the forest, Donkey reunited with a heartbroken Dragon, and decided to reconcile with her and confessing his love for her, but would also want to tell Shrek the truth and decided to do so.

Donkey returns to the swamp and uses thin trees and rocks to build a wall. When Shrek encounters with him outside, Donkey angrily tells him that he would recognize a wall when he see one. Shrek tells him that the wall is supposed to go around his swamp, not through it, but Donkey said it was as they both have each half, which is something that Donkey would earn for helping Shrek rescuing Fiona. The two begin to argue about owning the swamp together or one of them does, before Shrek angrily walks out on him one more time. But Donkey manages to stop him and berates him for walking out on him and Fiona, before Shrek asks why Donkey came back if he treated him so badly, because it was what friends do, they forgive each other. But Shrek only forgave Donkey for stabbing him in the back and angrily enters his outhouse. When Donkey thought Fiona may have loved Shrek, he reveals that she wasn't talking about her, but someone else, because he couldn't bring up telling Shrek about her curse. Unless Shrek didn't want to listen to Donkey, he decided not to talk when the former asked who she was then talking about. Now admitting how big, stupid and ugly ogre he was for lashing out on his only friends, Shrek apologizes to Donkey and he forgives him as they reconcile and restore their friendship. They must stop the wedding, but Shrek feared they wouldn't make it in time, until Donkey calls out for Dragon who flies them to the kingdom.

When they landed in Duloc, Donkey tells Shrek that he must convince his feelings for Fiona if he was truly in love with her, but they have to wait until the priest as produced Farquaad and Fiona husband and wife. Shrek throws Donkey in the air so he could see the two getting married, and it was all over and Shrek enters that cathedral, revealing to Fiona that Farquaad was only marrying her so he could be king and that he is not her true love. Realizing Shrek's feelings for her, Fiona reveals her ogre form to him and everyone during the wedding, so Farquaad sabotages it, foolishly declaring himself as king and orders his guards to arrest the ogres. But Shrek calls out for Dragon and Donkey arrives riding on her through a giant glass, and Dragon eats Farquaad in one bite. Donkey the guards not move as he has dragon here and is not afraid to use it, cause he was the donkey on the edge before Dragon burped out Farquaad's crown. Everyone were impressed with Donkey riding on Dragon and coming to his friends' aid, Donkey allows Shrek to finish his attempts to confess his love for Fiona, which was successful and they both share true love's kiss, breaking the spell. When Fiona thought she was supposed to be beautiful, Shrek tells her that she is beautiful for who she is, including as an ogress so she could be with Shrek. Donkey was happy for them both and thought this was going to be a happy ending for them both.

Now that Shrek and Fiona were officially a couple, with Fiona accepting to remain as on ogre everyday, and Lord Farquaad's tyranny was over, a wedding was held in the swamp were Shrek and Fiona finally got married, with Donkey, Dragon and all the other fairy tale creatures who might have gotten their homes back, thanks to the heroes defeating the evil tyrant of Duloc. Now Shrek and Fiona left for their honeymoon and the bride throws away the flowers she was carrying, and when Cinderella and Snow White fought over it, Dragon captures it and shows it to Donkey. Thought Donkey he found it a little awkward if he could ever share his love for Dragon, but Shrek and Fiona were happy for them both making a cute couple like they both before leaving for their honeymoon, thus Fiona found Dragon no longer a threat for keeping her guarded in tower, also making Shrek finally accepting Donkey as his best friend for his assistance and help of rescuing Fiona and being a loyal friend to him. So Donkey accepts that Dragon was his ture love and they both nuzzle each other and become an official couple. When Shrek and Fiona went on their honeymoon, Donkey begin to sing "I'm a Believer" with the other fairy tale creatures, with everyone living happily ever after as the story ended.

Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party

Before Shrek and Fiona went on their honeymoon at the end of the first film, Donkey was present alongside others in the short film. Shrek welcomes the viewers to the Karaoke Dance Party and starts singing to Fiona one of his personal favorite songs which is "Just the Way You Are". After Shrek serenades Fiona, she erupts into "Like a Virgin" by Madonna, followed by Donkey who sings "Baby Got Back" with Dragon shaking her tail behind him. Next comes Thelonious who sings "Feelings", and then Monsieur Hood and his Merrymen join in with "Y-M-C-A", Gingy sings part of "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me".

Unexpectedly, Farquaad is revealed to be "Stayin' Alive" in the Dragon's stomach, while Wolf sings "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Donkey then urges everyone to "Dance to the Music" with Pinocchio on turntables insists that they need a drummer and Fiona plays a drum solo. Thelonious sings with Gingy, and Shrek also sings and plays on the organ. It ends with Shrek and Fiona singing "Happy Together" while the rest of the chorus continues singing "Dance to the Music."

Shrek 4-D

In The Ghost of Lord Farquaad, Donkey encountered Shrek and Fiona on their honeymoon Shrek tries to figure out where to go by following the map, but then a fairy ends up on top of the map after landing on Donkey's face who sneezes and starts flying. When Fiona wasn't feeling well, while sitting in an onion, Donkey turns on the air, which made her feel better. Shrek suggests going down a scary and terrifying street populated by spiders, but Donkey is scared and Shrek pranks them with a spider. Suddenly Thelonious appears and kidnaps Fiona, so Shrek and Donkey jump into the onion carriage and chase him through the black forest, dodging feathers, spiders, the gingerbread house and jumping across a ravine when the carriage returns to being an onion and horses in the Three Blind Mice and the two find themselves in a cemetery and start looking for Fiona. Donkey was terrified of this place, until Shrek begin to tease him about being afraid of ghosts.

They see Lord Farquaad's grave and Donkey has doubts about him, but Shrek is intolerant of this, until Farquaad's ghost appears and Donkey remembers seeing him dying in the first movie, to which Farquaad responds as the widow and brings to life a stone dragon that attacks the duo who run away, only to be saved by Dragon who Donkey called with a whistle and they fly always chased by the Stone Dragon until with a clever tactic, they pass through a small space which breaks the Stone Dragon's wings and falls into the water, while the heroes escape to safety. Shrek and Donkey land on the raft where Fiona is with Thelonious who falls from the waterfall, but they cling to a branch and then fall again and are saved by Dragon who then neutralizes Farquaad's ghost with a spit of fire. Finally, Shrek, Fiona and Donkey arrive at the hotel and thank Donkey for his help before he leaves with Dragon.

Shrek 2

Donkey begin to have a difficult relationship with Dragon who was now all moody and stuff lately, so Donkey decided to move in with Shrek and Fiona who were still on their honeymoon and begin to take care of their love nest, like sorting the mail, watering the pants and feeding Shrek and Fiona's new but unexpected fishes who were named after them, but died lately. The couple finally returned home from Hansel's Honeymoon Hideaway and are surprised to see Donkey in their home, especially Shrek who wanted him to get going, while Donkey hoped to hear about their trip or play some game of Parcheesi. Donkey couldn't go home to Dragon, cause they were having troubles with their relationship, and Fiona said they're always happy to see Donkey, but Shrek responded that he and Fiona are now married and need some time together and to be alone. Donkey said he'd stay so no one could bother them, but Shrek stated that it was Donkey who was bothering him, so he decided to leave upset, until he came back in and revealed to Shrek and Fiona that people of Far Far Away are here with a message from King Harold and Queen Lillian, Fiona's parents who are inviting them on a royal ball in celebration of her marriage with Shrek. Donkey found that exiting and asked if he could accompany them, but Shrek wasn't sure about going, because they are ogres now. Instead, all three of them went on the road to Far Far Away, leaving the Swamp in good hands of Gingy, Pinocchio, Wolf, Pigs and Mice.

The trio have been on the road for days, going pass by rains and snowstorm, and Donkey kept asking if they are there yet, and the answers from Shrek and Fiona was no, which got even more annoying when Donkey kept asking them same question. Donkey was getting bored during the trip, so Shrek asked if he should find a way to entertain himself, and when everyone were silence and waiting until they arrived in Far Far Away and Donkey click his tongue to make popping noises from his mouth, which angers Shrek and tells Donkey to try and be himself for five minutes. Now they have finally arrived in Far Far Away and Donkey was very impressed with all the streets in the kingdom and see how many movie stars there were, such as seeing others princesses in Far Far Away, like Rapunzel and Cinderella. And once they made it to the castle, Shrek and Fiona were about to make a grant entrance to see all the people who have been waiting for their arrival, but everyone including the king and queen are shocked to see them both as ogres and everyone were silent. So Donkey tells Shrek and Fiona to go on ahead while he finds a place to park the onion carriage and heads off to find a parking space.

Donkey later arrives in the castle and goes through the kitchen where he finds everyone at the dinner table and takes a seat. Harold attempted to shoo the donkey away, but Fiona tells her father that Donkey was the one who helped Shrek rescue her from the Dragon's Keep, so Donkey calls for the chef to get him one of these soups everyone's eating, much to Shrek's embarrassment. When Lillian asked where the couple live, Fiona stated that Shrek owes a land, which Shrek guarantees about it being in a magic forest with chipmunks and birds, Donkey found it laughable and wonders if he was talking about the swamp, which made Harold find it hilarious that an ogre owes a swamp. When both Harold begin to insult Shrek that makes him angry, Donkey thought about using the bathroom, until he decided to wait after the dinner has arrived. However, dinner ended up in a disaster when Shrek and Harold get into a heated argument about future grandchildren being ogres or that when Harold locked Fiona in the tower. Soon, Fiona stormed sadly into her room, and Shrek along with Donkey went on to check on her after hearing loud noises. When they enter her room, they find all the belongings came to alive and Fiona was carrying a puppy poodle, where they met the Fairy Godmother who was not pleased with Shrek being Fiona's husband. When Shrek decided to leave, Donkey said he didn't want to leave and watch both Shrek and Fiona argue about Harold's blessing and that Shrek stated nothing will ever chance, which breaks Fiona's heart and she leaves the room. Donkey then said it was really smooth of Shrek and begins to mimick him.

Next day, Donkey and Shrek were walking in the forest after Shrek was "pardoned" by King Harold and they gotta get to know each other a little bit, and Harold told him to meet him out in the woods early in the morning. But the duo went the same way and clearly got lost. But while they were walking, Shrek thought Donkey was purring like a feline, but Donkey told him that his species don't do that until they were ambushed by Puss in Boots. While feared by his sword, Shrek tries to befriend and pet the cat who suddenly attacks him and Donkey tries to save his friend. When Puss vomits a hairball, which disgusts Donkey, Shrek catches the cat and learns from him that King Harold payed him gold to assassinate the ogre, which saddens Shrek to believe that this is what Harold wanted to happen, which was so much for daddy's blessing. Donkey comforts Shrek and tells him that everyone who he meets wants to kill him and told him that Fiona knows he'd do anything for her when Shrek thought it was best if he could change and become some kind of Prince Charming to Fiona. Then Shrek remembers that card Fairy Godmother gave him last night about happiness and a tear drop away and Donkey have to have to think of the saddest thing that ever happened to him, so he told Shrek that an old farmer tried to sell him for magic beans and the fool had a party with the guests trying to pin the tail on Donkey where they all got all drunk and start beating him with a stick going, "Piñata! Piñata, never knowing what it means. But Shrek only needed Donkey to cry, so Puss forcefully steps on his hoof, and with one drop of tear from Donkey, it turns into a bubble, showing the Fairy Godmother's cottage and both Shrek and Donkey are ready for another adventure, but are allowing Puss to accompany them, which annoys Donkey.

The trio walked in the forest, where Donkey was behind watching jealously at Shrek and Puss talking to each other and shared a good laugh. They finally arrived at the cottage that was actually a huge factory, making Donkey too scared of going near as he thought this was the ol' Keebler's place, until Puss revealed that this was where the Fairy Godmother makes all of the magic potion and they entered inn, only to realize that she is not seeing any clients today, until Shrek lied that the three of them the union and are represent the workers in all magical industries, both evil and benign, so the receptionist elf lets them in. After finding the Fairy Godmother, she checks in all of the fairy tale books, and could see that there are no ogres in them, thus meaning ogres don't live happily ever after, which angers Shrek and Donkey becomes scared as the two faced each other, until he sheepishly leaves with his friends after Shrek got an idea how Shrek will change and they go undercover as one of the staffs working on magic potions and made into the Potion Room where many magic potions are kept. Donkey was told to stand guard while Puss tries to find the right potion for Shrek, but while looking at the two, they've been spotted had to make a run for it. So Puss takes out the Happily Ever After Potion, but after dropping it, Donkey catches it in his mouth and the trio avoid getting shot by arrows from the elves and made it outside.

Shrek reads the potion that is for two lovers that will change them both as one of them says "cheers" for them both and Shrek believed it could work on him and Fiona. But after opening it, Donkey worried that the potion won't work and that Shrek is allergic to it, he should get rid of it. Puss thought about tasting the potion for Shrek, but Donkey backed him away, saying that he'll do it as he is Shrek's best friend, not Puss and takes the potion from Shrek. When Donkey drinks it, Shrek takes it from him and Donkey has nothing changed. Before Shrek could drink it, Donkey reminded that there was no going back and Shrek could never again wallow in the mud, itch his butt and that Shrek loves being an ogre, but Shrek loves Fiona more, though he knows he could never again do what ogres always do and drinks the potion. But instead, a stinky fart came from Shrek's butt and Donkey believed Shrek grabbed the "Farty Ever After" potion. But when it starts to rain, Donkey believed he was melting, but clams down as the trio went on to find a shelter. After entering an old barn, Shrek solemnly looks at the palace from distance, saddens about what happened today, and Donkey told him things seem bad because it's dark and rainy and Fiona’s father hired a sleazy hitman to whack him. But when Donkey tried to sing him a song, he feels a little woozy in the head and faints, the same things happens to Shrek, and while they were both unconscious, both of them transformed in the night.

Next morning, Shrek finds himself transformed into a human after drinking the happily ever after potion and Donkey was transformed into a white horse. Donkey was amazed by his new looks and felt great counting and trot. Puss found out that there's a warning in the potion and Shrek has to share true love's kiss with Fiona before midnight. Puss believed Fiona will be impressed seeing Shrek like this, and Donkey told him that he is the same ogre before and Shrek told him that he is the same annoying donkey. When Shrek decided to come out as a new Shrek, Donkey told him they first have to get him out of his clothes cause they don't fit Shrek anymore and don't suit him as a human. So they tried to stop a carriage with Donkey pretending to be wounded and Puss orders the little man to take of his clothes, but they are to small for Shrek so they use the clothes belonging to the man's son which suits Shrek perfectly and they ride off back to Far Far Away and are greeted politely by people, including villagers. After arriving to the palace, Shrek goes in to find Fiona who actually came outside and heard from Donkey that he and Shrek drank the happily ever after potion to make them life happilly ever after in different forms and Fiona goes back inside to look for Shrek who later came out sad after believing he lost Fiona to Prince Charming and they all left the castle.

They drown in sorrow at the Poison Apple with Doris, one of Cinderella's ugly stepsisters who feels bad for them, as Shrek said he made a terrible mistake of rescuing Fiona from this tower. Donkey couldn't believe that Shrek was walking away from the best thing that has ever happened to him, as Shrek had no choice, because Fiona "loved" this pretty boy, Prince Charming. Donkey didn't think Prince Charming was really that good looking, until Doris said he's gorgeous and has a face that looks like it was carved by angels. Shrek didn't feel better and said it was better like this, because Harold and Lillian approved, Fiona gets the man she dreamed of and everybody wins. Donkey said Shrek was the only one who doesn't win and couldn't get that he loves Fiona which is why Shrek has to let her go. But Shrek could hear Harold's voice as he entered the inn caped so no one would recognize him, but Shrek recognized him, so they went to spy on him. Harold was talking to the Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming who are all in league and are preparing to make sure that Charming will become Fiona's true love after she drinks a potion that Fairy Godmother gives Harold, also learn that Charming was only pretending to be Shrek. Then Donkey becomes shocked to hear that Prince Charming was actually the Fairy Godmother's son after he calls her "mommy". They were all witnessed by the villains and tried to flee, but are arrested by the guards.

Locked in the Jail Tower, Donkey yelled that he has to get out and the guards couldn't lock them all up or that he has no right to remain silent, until Shrek told him that he has the right to remain silent and what he lack is the capacity. They are soon rescued by Pinocchio, Gingy, Wolf, Pigs and Mice who saw them on the Magic Mirror being arrested and rushed to rescue them. When Shrek said they have to stop that kiss, Donkey thought he was going to let her go, but Shrek couldn't allow the Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming to drug Fiona like this. Donkey was happy for his best friend that he was finally coming around. However, it was hopeless to enter the palace, because there are guards all over the place, so Shrek has an idea to ask the Muffin Man for help, and he bakes a giant gingerbread man called Mongo to follow them to the palace. Thought he was a bit dumb, Donkey told Mongo to look at him and follow him to the palace. After managing to get into the castle, Donkey and Shrek ride off to the royal ball confronting Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming. They managed to take her wand so she couldn't do any harms, but Charming kisses Fiona quickly so that the heroes could loose, but Fiona knocks him out, as she din't not drink the love potion, because Harold finally saw how Fiona loves Shrek and gave her the wrong tea. Charming throws the wand back to his mother and she prepares to strike Shrek and Fiona before blowing into bubbles when Harold blocked away the blast.

With the Fairy Godmother gone, Harold was believed dead after making a redeeming sacrifice for his family, but instead he was turned into a frog as he is revealed to be the Frog Prince. Donkey reprimanded Harold about giving Shrek a hard time when they first met, but Shrek calls him out, until Harold said Donkey was right and wanted to apologize to Shrek and Fiona as he only wanted his daughter to find her happiness, until she finally did and they all forgive Harold. It was almost midnight and no time to waste unless Shrek and Fiona would like to stay human forever, as Shrek would do it for her. Fiona would like to live happily ever after, with the ogre she married, so the couple decided to return to their ogre forms along with Donkey who returns to his donkey form. Donkey really upset about being no longer a horse, but Shrek cheers his best friend up, telling him that he still looks like a noble steed to him and Donkey was really for what he said to him. As Shrek and Fiona shared a true love's kiss, Donkey begin to sing Livin' la Vida Loca with Puss as he finally accept the cat as his and Shrek's friend and everyone lives happily ever after while performing on stage.

After credits and after the royal ball, Donkey was still very sad and upset while singing sad songs. Puss said they're going to the Kit-Kat Club and Donkey should join them. Donkey thanked Puss for inventing him, but he isn't really in the mood. Puss said they'll cheer him up and will find him a nice burro when he believes Donkey is sad about not having a true love like Shrek. But Donkey would later become happy and feel better after seeing Dragon arrive in Far Far Away as it turns out their relationship and marriage was still working and even Shrek and Fiona were happy to see her again. The Dragon really missed Donkey and wonders where he has been as he had to help Shrek out, until Dragon revealed the reason they were apart for a while, is because Dragon hatched babies that are seen to be furry and look almost like Donkey as they are hybrids of dragons and donkeys, called the Dronkeys. Shrek and Fiona were happy for their friend cause he just started a family with Dragon and Donkey himself was happy for his children cause they are family now and said he needed to get a job.

Far Far Away Idol

When Donkey and Puss are still singing, Gingy jokingly tells them to "give it up," because they're giving him a headache. Shrek and Fiona then walk in, with the ogress saying that they are really "not that bad." Simon Cowell answers that they should take that as a compliment, because he "rarely gives them." Shrek answers that the competition hasn't started yet, to which Simon replies, "I can't help being judgmental, it's who I am." Shrek then asks if everyone is ready for a competition, to which they all cheer in excitement. The Magic Mirror introduces the judges, Shrek, Fiona, and Simon while also telling the viewers that they can vote along with them. After the basic rundown, various Shrek characters begin singing covers of famous pop songs. Once the performances are over, the viewers get the chance to "select their favorite." If Donkey, Puss, or Shrek & Fiona are chosen, they will perform an encore. However, if another character is selected, Simon will protest, and sing a rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way." All four endings feature the Shrek 2 end credits running at max speed (similar to TV credits) as the Mirror says "Ladies and gentlemen our time is up here, but we look forward to seeing you next time on Far Far Away Idol."

Shrek the Third

Donkey stayed in Far Far Away with Shrek and Fiona for a long time and got used to it of becoming a father to the Dronkeys and be friends with Puss. When King Harold has fallen ill, Shrek was the next heir in line to take his place as king. Donkey would later wake up Shrek and Fiona telling them that it was time for the couple to prepare their roles as future king and queen, but Shrek refuses to get up, so Donkey moves blanket and was horrified to see Shrek naked, telling him that he needs to get some pajamas. Donkey watches Shrek practicing his role of a king, like knighting a nervous and terrified person that actually ends up getting injured when Shrek accidentally hit him with the sword too hard as it was not supposed to happen. Then it was time for Shrek to hit a bottle with a ship that he accidentally pushed away and sinks it after throwing the bottle at it, as Donkey, Fiona, Puss and the other citizens of Far Far Away watched in horror. When Shrek and Fiona were about to get a makeover to look like king and queen, Donkey asked if someone could come and work on Shrek, Raul the Dresser will see what he can do. Donkey was really amazed how Shrek and Fiona looked and told them to smile when everyone sees them. But when the guests were about to see Shrek and Fiona, they were all shocked to see a guy named Fiddlesworth scratching off Shrek's butt as he can't do it by himself because the clothes his was wearing were to narrow and Donkey is hit in the eye by Shrek's belt buckle when it snaps. When disaster happens at the party, Donkey was nearly hit by burning shrimps that he later ate as the whole place was cracking and it messed up Shrek and Fiona.

Shrek has had it and stated that he and Fiona would go home since he was not cut out for being a king or learning how to be one. Donkey snuggles into the bed was right next to Shrek, telling that it went pretty well, but Shrek just angrily threw him out of the room and slams the doors on him in frustration due to his failure and embarrassment. But things weren't long when it was Harold's dying time and Donkey stood by the royal family to watch him die and say his last words. When he was believed dead right now, Puss stated that the Frog King was dead, but suddenly Harold was actually awake but couching, and Donkey then told Puss to put his hat back on. Hearing Harold saying that the kingdom needs a new king, and Shrek clearly the last to succeed, but the former chooses not to since having an ogre for a king was not a good idea and pleaded there could be someone else, so Harold said before he dies that his nephew, Arthur Pendragon was the last remaining heir to the throne and the king passes away. With the ruler of Far Far Away dead, Donkey tells Puss to do his like taking his hat off as everyone mourned Harold's death and attended his funeral. Donkey was really saddened for his death, despite all the facts that he caused on Shrek before their first encounter, but thanks to his longtime redemption, Donkey no longer saw Harold like that, and was by Shrek and Fiona's side when he was put in the chest.

Next day, Shrek must travel to Worcestershire Academy to retrieve this Arthur guy, and Donkey has to go with Shrek, because he can't make a trip without him or Puss. He cheers but Dragon, promising that he will return to her and their babies who embraces their father with farewell party. When the trio left for Worcestershire, Fiona revealed to Shrek that she's pregnant which shocks him, disappoints Puss and surprises Donkey and the other ones that Shrek was about to become a dad, while Donkey happily said he's about to become an uncle. During the sail through the ship, Shrek wakes from a horrible nightmare about how many children he will ever have in life and couldn't believe that this was happening. Donkey tries to cheer Shrek up that it'll be all right, since he is a father as well and got used to it, which means Shrek could feel the same one day. When the trip was over, Donkey was uncomfortable with the place caused it looked more like high school to Shrek. They mistook Sir Lancelot for Arthur, because the little dork who lost to him in training was actually Arthur and is commonly known as Artie, so they followed him to the gym during the Mascot Contest. After telling the boy that he is the only heir to the throne of Far Far Away, Artie gives a speech to his former schoolmates and leaves Worcestershire with the trio and they sailed back to Far Far Away.

On their way back to Far Far Away, Artie spoke to Shrek was pretty excited to become king and Shrek tells him of all the things he had to do, which are all the things he wasn't able to do. Suddenly, Donkey and Puss approached them, saying that this was going to be amazing for Artie, cause he'll be living in the lap of luxury and Puss told him that he will have the royal food tasters who taste the food before the king to make sure it's not poisoned, which only leads Artie to become uncomfortable with this idea, but Donkey said not to worry, because he will be safe and sound with the help of his bodyguards whom Artie is confused of, so Puss says that all of them, willing at a moment’s notice to lay down their own lives out of devotion to Artie and the whole kingdom will look to him for wisdom and guidance, before Donkey tells him to just make sure they don't die famine or plague that is really bad. But then Shrek who has been silently trying to ask them to shut up breaks off the talk so that Artie to get the wrong ideas. Suddenly, Artie took over the wheel and begin to turn around the ship, with Shrek trying to stop him and Donkey and Puss were rolling across the deck. As Donkey was about to vomit before nearly falling overboard or getting sea sick, he noticed that they were about to hit rocks and warns Shrek who has no control over the ship and they hit.

On a dry land, Shrek accused Artie for getting them into this mess and stated that they will go back to Far Far Away, like it or not, and Artie will become king, with everyone first confused that Shrek said that Artie will be a father, as Donkey tells him what he said, before Shrek mentioned "king", not "father". However, Artie still refused to become a king and walks into the forest. Puss thought it was best if Artie didn't come back, because is not a king's problem, and Donkey as when he was going to tell the boy that he was the rightful king. When Shrek said that Artie would make a ten times better king than him, Donkey told Shrek that he's gonna have to change his tactics if you want to get anywhere with the kid. Shrek thought about threatening Artie with a piece of driftwood, until Donkey calls him out, as it was only a little joke from now on. Soon, they encountered a cottage where Artie's old magic teacher at school Merlin who might be able to help the group to get back to Far Far Away, right before they have looked into their own souls. Donkey's soul was a dutch fudge torte with cinnamon swirls, Shrek's soul was a baby wagon, which makes him to nervous to reveal and told Merlin that he see's a rainbow pony, and Artie's soul was a baby bird and his father who left the nest to teach him how to fly but can't do so and falls. Artie turns out to be the baby bird and his father left, so Donkey encounters Shrek to have a talk with Artie about his father's absence and two finally warm up to each other and got along.

Next morning, the group is ambushed by living tree and Captain Hook who is playing on his piano along with his pirate crew. He orders the villains to kill everyone, except Shrek, because Prince Charming who now goes by the title of "King Charming" has bigger plans for Shrek. The group fought the pirates, before Donkey, Puss and Artie are caught up in a net and are about to be killed by a cannon. Puss tries to use one of his claws to free themselves, but luckily Shrek managed to save them and the blast destroys Hook's piano, and all the fairy tale villains flee in defeat and terror. Learning that Charming has taken over Far Far Away and is trying to avenge the death of his mother, the Fairy Godmother by becoming the rightful king of Far Far Away, the group must get back to Far Far Away, because Fiona might be in serious danger. Artie convinced Merlin to use his magic to sent him and his friends back to Far Far Away, since he doesn't have the magic in him anymore, but will give it a try. Donkey was pretty uncomfortable with this, but it worked out for Merlin to sent them all back to Far Far Away, only for Donkey and Puss to accidentally switch bodies. The kingdom has become a wasteland and Charming was preparing for a play tonight with him in a lead role and wants Shrek on stage. They call confront Charming who calls out his guards and attempts to kill Artie so he can't have the throne, but Shrek lies that he was only using him so he can become the king. Donkey tries to do something, only to be hold back by Puss as it's for the best and the guards allow Artie to leave.

When Shrek is taken away and placed on stage in shackle, Donkey and Puss are thrown into prison shared with Fiona, Lillian and the other princesses of Far Far Away who are surprised to see them both in different bodies. Donkey tells Fiona that Charming took Shrek and is going to kill him on stage tonight, so they needed to think of a plan to get out and save Far Far Away from Charming's tyranny. Lillian turns out to be headstrong and manage to use her head to break two walls, making an escape route. While Fiona, her mother and the princesses take out the guards, Donkey and Puss rescue their friends who were imprisoned somewhere in Far Far Away after Charming took over the kingdom. First they went to the zoo to free Donkey's babies who believed Puss was their daddy because he was in Puss body. Then they free Pinocchio from a booth, Gingy from a bakery and had all of their friends to help rescue Shrek. While coming up with a plan to get on stage, they spotted Artie who was walking in despair and still believed Shrek was using him for nothing. But Puss told him that Shrek only said those words to protect him and Donkey told him that Charming about to kill Artie and Shrek saved his life. This leads Artie to team up with them and go on stage to stop Charming and rescue Shrek.

Tonight, It's a Happily Ever After After All begun and Charming was on stage with Rapunzel who is his new girlfriend and future queen of Far Far Away turned on her friends, and Shrek was present on stage. Charming prepares to hit him with his swords, but his friends interfered and arrived just in time as did Donkey and Puss while riding on Dragon, when they land, they told him to pray for mercy from them both. But Charming has the fairy tale villains restrain their friends when he refuses to give up. Cyclops picks up Donkey and Puss while the rest were ready to kill Shrek, but Artie shows up and begin to reason with the fairy tale villains that they can be good at anything but doing what they were meant to do in the story that features them. Artie was right and the villains dropped their weapons and redeemed themselves, also Cyclops lowers Donkey and Puss, as Charming was in a blind fury and tried to kill Artie for doing this, but Shrek prevented him from doing so and nearly stabbed him with his sword, shocking everyone. But when Charming he won and demands everyone to bow before him as the rightful king, Shrek fooled Charming about working on his aim. When the tower cruses Charming his supposed death, Artie picks up the crows and is hailed as the new king of Far Far Away. Merlin then arrives and Donkey and Puss demand him to revert their body swamps. It works and they were back into their own bodies, but their tails were on the wrong side.

With Prince Charming defeated and the Fairy Tale Villains redeemed, Artie would make a great king while Fiona said Shrek would do to, but he was better things in mind, like how they are going to be great parents. Shrek and Fiona returned home to the swamp, and Fiona gave birth to ogre triplets. Shrek finally got used to it of becoming a father and it was different from the nightmare he had before, because three is enough, rather than a whole pack to fill his house. Donkey, Puss, Dragon and Lillian arrived to the swamp to help Shrek and Fiona with their parenthood. Donkey was really impressed by the ogre babies as he enjoyed playing with them, while Puss uncomfortable about being tortured by them as they were only toddlers. Now that Shrek and Fiona were parents of three baby ogres, Donkey and Puss become godfather and surrogate uncles of them and would always be there for them to raise them, including to babysit the kids. In the end credits, Donkey and Puss appeared with the ogre triplets singing "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" while probably watching over them or having fun with them.

Shrek the Halls

While relaxing in the sun with his children, Donkey stresses Shrek with the preparations for Christmas, but Shrek doesn't want to know about it, until on Christmas Eve, Fiona shows enthusiasm for it and therefore Shrek must immediately find a solution. He goes to the bookstore before it closes and buys a book on how to decorate everything for Christmas. Shrek does his best to organize Christmas, albeit in a most disgusting way. In the evening when it's time for the Christmas story, all the others arrive and Shrek is quite annoyed. It all ends with the house destroyed and a wet Shrek, enraged, kicks everyone out and fights with Donkey, unable to stand it anymore. Shrek tries to talk to Fiona about everything, but she, disappointed in him, goes to look for the others. Shrek remains at home alone sad for the disaster that technically he created and feeling guilty, he goes to look for his friends and with some difficulty he apologizes for kicking everyone out of his house the wrong way by saying that it was the first Christmas he ever celebrated, since he didn't have it. Never celebrated before, because ogres don't celebrate Christmas or anything.

Donkey starts to feel guilty and admits that he too got a little too caught up in Christmas and didn't think about it. Shrek receives a snowball throw and then they explain that there is no obligatory way to celebrate Christmas, you just celebrate it together with friends and family. So, they forgive him and they all return together to Shrek's house in the swamp where now Shrek has already sorted everything out and throws away the book, he took from the library which they no longer need and talks about him as Santa Claus who delivers gifts to his children and Fiona and picking her nose makes the house rotten and smelly. In the end everyone goes out to see Santa Claus flying out and everyone is happy, as Santa uses magic to put ogre ears on the top of the moon.

Shrek Forever After

After Shrek and Fiona have settled to raise their children, Farkle, Fergus and Felicia, Donkey has officially become a surrogate uncle to them and often arrives at Shrek's house with his children for a playdate and start singing about his friendship with Shrek and comes often stays for dinner where Puss narrates the story of how Shrek rescued Fiona and fell in love with her, despite the fact that he wasn't really there, but clearly got to know about the story after he met Shrek and Donkey in the first place. And when Puss that they lived, Donkey said happily, Fiona says ever and Shrek says after, meaning that they lived happily ever after. But when Fiona made a wish upon a shooting star about every day being like this one, Donkey always shows up with his children and stay for dinner with Puss telling the same story, which begins to tire out Shrek. Even on the triplet's first birthday party at the Candy Apple that was no longer the Poison Apple since fairy tale villains found a redemption, Donkey told Shrek to sing with the others, but the former rejects and Donkey pleaded as he'll be his best friend, which makes Shrek wonders why being Donkey's best friend and do what he doesn't want to do. When Shrek picks up the birthday cake, Donkey licks the rainbow and alongside the other guests told Shrek to do an ogre roar, and he loses it and roar to silent everyone, only for them to cheer up for Shrek who later smashes the new birthday cake in anger which shocks and horrifies everyone, including Donkey and Fiona as Shrek leaves in anger.

Shrek wanted thinks to go back as they used to be, back when villagers were afraid of him, meaning back when he first met Donkey and rescued Fiona, and while walking in the forest, Shrek encounters Rumpelstiltskin who offers him a deal of a lifetime about an ogre for a day, but Shrek has to give up one day and thought about the day he met Donkey which is a day he'd like to take back, but Rumpel doesn't know who Donkey really is and thought if it would be the day since Shrek was born. As Shrek signs to contract, he is transformed into an alternate reality where his home has never been excavated from the hill it was into the house it should be and is captured by witches and imprisoned in a carriage pulled by Donkey who is now scruffy, due to the fact that he has been whipped by witches his whole love. Shrek tries to talk to Shrek about Fiona's whereabouts and even asked him where his wife Dragon is. But Donkey was confused and believed Shrek was a crazy ogre and told him that he has never seen him before. They soon arrive to Far Far Away that is now a wasteland and ruled over by Rumpelstiltskin who has ogres imprisoned and enslaved in the palace, and when Shrek is brought to meet up with Stiltskin, he promises Donkey that he'll get their lives back.

When Donkey was talking to the witches, Shrek manage to break free from his chains and stole one of the witches brooms to escape the palace. Donkey watched Shrek being chased the witches and tells him that he'll come back for him, however Donkey still doesn't know Shrek as he tells Rumpel that he doesn't know him. Donkey thought Shrek was trying to reach for Rumpel, and was glad not be him, but turns out he was the one Shrek was after who takes Donkey with him against the will. Donkey feared that he has been "ass-napped" by an ogre and when they crash-landed into the forest, Donkey tries to flee Shrek as he is shown in this universe to be afraid of ogres, but Shrek stops and calms him down, trying to tell him that they are friends, and even has to trust him. When Shrek tries to sing Donkey's song poorly about them being friends, it didn't work and Donkey runs away in terror, but came back after seeing Shrek sitting alone on a log and crying over his erased history. Donkey has never seen an ogre cry and decides to trust Shrek. After befriending the ogre, Shrek reveals to Donkey that Rumpelstiltskin tricked him into singing the deal of a lifetime, which was something that he shouldn't have done and even told him about the exit clause which Shrek never knew about, so Donkey helps by making an origami of the contract. After solving the problem, Shrek learns that he has to share true love's kiss with Fiona to get his life back, and he embraces Donkey for helping him.

Donkey doesn't either know who Fiona is and asked Shrek where she could be, but Shrek doesn't know since he is now in an alternate timeline and tells Shrek last time he saw her, he told her that he wished that he'd never rescued her from the Dragon's Keep and rushes there to find her while Donkey stays behind. Shrek doesn't find anything but so many marks about how long Fiona spend in this tower, including her tiara, believing that someone else rescued Fiona. Shrek even found the favour Fiona gave him on the day they met as it is the simple of their love and tells Donkey to smell it and track down Fiona as his nose was the only way, but Donkey reminded him that he is not a bloodhound and would either be called "Dog" rather than "Donkey" if he wasn't a donkey. Then Donkey suddenly begin to smell something sweet, which makes Shrek believe it was Fiona, until he said it was also tasty and tracks down a stag of freshly made waffles in a middle of the forest. Shrek told Donkey not to eat them, cause this might be a trap, but Donkey couldn't help it and tastes the dripping syrup. It was a trap and Donkey falls into a whole where is restrained by the Ogre Resistance with their chef Cookie about to cook him, but Shrek follows Donkey through the waffle hole and saves him from being eaten. They soon encounter Fiona who is the leader of the resistance and doesn't either know Shrek. After hiding from witches who are searching for ogres and getting to see who Shrek's wife really is, he told Shrek that he could see who wears the chain mail in his family, which makes Shrek give Donkey a weird stare.

Shrek and Donkey spy on Fiona and the other ogres having a meeting in the war room about Stiltskin leading an ogre hunt tonight by himself, and Donkey believed this was because of them. Fiona said they will attack tonight, hide and wait for Rumpel's carriage to arrive, then Fiona will give the signal and the ogres attack. And when the smoke clears, Rumpelstiltskin is gone and Far Far Away will become free. Donkey find this being serious and Shrek wonders he will get Fiona to kiss him before sunrise. Donkey stated that he should tell her what he told him, like he is Fiona's true love and came from an alternate universe, but if he'd do that, then he could tell her that Donkey is married to a fire-breathing dragon and they have together little donkey-dragon baby, which surprises Donkey to hear that he is a daddy and wonders if his babies have hooves or claws, or that they are cute or make people feel uncomfortable. Donkey even got along with the ogre resistance, like joking around with them and would still like to help Shrek get Fiona's attention and when he tells Shrek that all Fiona cares about is her courage, which gave Shrek an idea how to get her attention of falling in love with him. Donkey later encountered Puss who was now overweight and told Shrek how he can try to convince Fiona about true love, Donkey finds Puss being cute and asks Shrek if they can keep him.

Donkey and Puss help Shrek try to get his attention to Fiona and convince her that Shrek is her true love and the rescuer she expected when she was still locked up in the Dragon's Keep. Tonight, the ogres prepare for the ambush while Shrek goes after Fiona. The ambush backfires, because Rumpelstiltskin has hired Pied Piper to force the ogres to dance to the palace and become caged up. Donkey and Puss managed to rescue only Shrek and Fiona, but they fall into the river. On dry land, Donkey refuses to allow Puss to borrow his tongue, but decided to so, since Puss was doing his eye things. Fiona attempts to rescue the ogres by herself, but when Shrek tries to get her to kiss him, nothing happens, because she was not in love with Shrek and saved herself from the Dragon's Keep. Donkey believed Shrek kissed Fiona wrong, but the kiss didn't actually work, because Fiona stopped believing in fairy tales and true love for never being rescued, because Shrek was never born. When Rumpel puts a bounty on Shrek, Donkey tries to cheer him up and everything will okay tomorrow, but Shrek said there won't be any tomorrow or any day after this one. Donkey then asked Shrek if he found his life being perfect, then why he would give it up to Rumpelstiltskin, because Shrek never knew any of this would happen. Soon they learn from Gingy that Rumpelstiltskin promised to deal of a lifetime to anyone who could bring in Shrek, there was still hope to fix everything. Shrek turns himself in to free all the ogres, and Donkey and Puss decided to form a plan with the freed ogres to get into the palace and rescue Shrek and Fiona, and Donkey knew exactly how they could get in.

Rumpelstiltskin was about to have Shrek and Fiona killed underground by Dragon who was presumably captured after Fiona left the tower and is even more aggressive than in Shrek's world. The execution was interfered by Donkey who was singing on the top of the pretty ball with Donkey giving the ogres who were inside the ball a single to attack. The ogre resistance jump into action and fought off the witches while Donkey and Puss rescue Shrek and Fiona from Dragon, after landing, Shrek told Donkey to woo Dragon since she is his wife. Donkey was pretty terrified of Dragon and frozen in fear, but could see how beautiful she was and nearly kissed her, only to be gobbled up by her. Puss uses his sword to free Donkey and he flies in the air and lands on a witch riding her broom. After taking down Dragon, Rumpelstiltskin is prevented from flying away on his giant pet goose, Fifi, and the ogres have the victory. But it was almost sunrise and Shrek begins to fade away. Despite never have met him in this universe, Donkey was sad about seeing his friend dying and mourns Shrek as he disappears. However, Fiona who fell in love with Shrek and shared true love's kiss with him was still in her ogre form and the kiss finally worked as the world was about to be restored and everyone disappeared including Donkey, but Rumpelstiltskin was the only one who was left behind.

With the spell broken, Shrek is transported back where his kids' birthday party was held at the Candy Apple, and Donkey who was now normal again cheered for Shrek after he made his ogre roar. Instead of lashing out on everyone, Shrek happily embraces his friends and family, because he finally got his life back and could celebrate his kids' birthday. Donkey asks Shrek to give his kids an extra roar, which Shrek did, but instead of a roar, Shrek held his nose and blew a toot threw his ears and his kids did the same, and Fiona was astounded. Donkey was happy for Shrek and always knew that he was his best friend. Then Shrek hosts a party at his swamp with everyone, including the Ogre Resistance attending, and Donkey was present celebrating with Dragon and his friends. Rumpelstiltskin was caged up and imprisoned for his crimes, while Fifi is blown up to death by Fiona's singing and Donkey was trying to get feathers in his tongue. Later when the film was ending, Donkey, Shrek, Fiona, Puss and everyone in the swamp begin to make angels in the mud, living happily ever after.

Scared Shrekless

In the Halloween special, Shrek said Halloween was his favorite holiday of the year, and when he, Fiona, and the kids got back to their house, Donkey, Puss in Boots, and the Fairy Tale Creatures try to scare Shrek, but fail. As a way to make up for the attempt, Shrek challenges Donkey, Puss in Boots and the other fairy tale creatures to spend the night in Lord Farquaad's abandoned castle of Duloc, while telling scary stories. The last one to be scared "Shrekless" wins, and is crowned the King of Halloween.

Only Puss, Donkey, Shrek and Pinocchio remain, with Puss trying to start his own story, only be interrupted by Donkey. In this tale, Donkey and Puss needed to find shelter on a dark and stormy night. They meet a kindly motel owner (who is Prince Charming in disguise) and settle in, only for Puss to get killed in the shower. During the course of the story, the two constantly cut each other off and make up endings as they go along. Puss attempts to continue the story by mentioning his defenses against Charming's attempts to kill, while Donkey keeps trying to end the story with the cat either dying or getting hurt. Puss eventually ends the story with Donkey being eaten by a giant Waffle Man. However, Donkey comes out of the waffle's mouth and unleashes Puss' worst fear — getting sprayed with a spray bottle. Puss scurries off while Shrek says it's cheating. As Shrek asks whose turn it is to tell a scary story, he realized that the the three blind mice were missing (as the mice in question were still at Shrek's house walking on a mini turning table).

Only Donkey and Shrek are left, with Shrek deciding to wait for Lord Farquaad's Ghost. He also brings up Donkey's hand in Farquaad's demise, to which Donkey tries to deny the ghost being real. Suddenly, the chairs start moving and the chandeliers start rocking, causing Donkey to think it's a prank when Shrek claims he's not behind the actions. A knight (presumably possessed by Farquaad's ghost) suddenly comes to life, scaring Donkey out of the castle.

Donkey's Caroling Christmas-tacular

Donkey is the titular protagonist of the second Christmas special of the Shrek franchise where he and his friends are decorating for a Christmas party and singing their favorite Christmas carols. This short animation film takes place in the Candy Apple, the friendly version of the Poison Apple. Donkey is excited for everyone to sing Christmas carols, with Shrek surprisingly confirming the possibility of him singing. Donkey sings "It's the Most Wonderful Time" with his fairy tale friends. Before he can sing another tune, Shrek, Princess Fiona, the Ogre children, and army of ogres sing an ogre version of "Jingle Bells" (containing lyrics such as "Bug Cocoon, Lick the spoon. Try our cricket slurp").

Puss in Boots then sings "Feliz Navidad" in a new rendition titled "Fleas Navidad,”claiming it to be a classic song from his village. In the finale, everyone sings "Fairy Tale Rock,” a rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock.” During the short, various subplots are shown, such as Gingy trying to save inanimate gingerbread people, the Three Little Pigs getting ready for "swimsuit weather," and Rumpelstiltskin being trapped in a cage where Donkey mistook him for a Christmas and elf and refused to let him out of the cage.

Shrek's Yule Log

It's Christmas time tonight and all the guests, including Donkey were arriving to Shrek's swamp to celebrate Christmas, while the yule log was on. Shrek was starting the fire and Donkey getting his tail caught on fire. Cookie bringing in "Eyeball Stew" and Donkey making two eyeballs come out his nostrils (referencing the gag in Shrek Forever After). Donkey was then playing Santa Claus with the eyeballs from his nostrils.

Donkey was then scaring the viewers with his Santa eyeball costume. The fire was going out and Donkey was ordering Bananas to rekindle the flames and it worked pretty well. Rumpelstiltskin was also featured in the special as he was no longer in the cage and prepares to put out the fire, only to be stopped and kicked out by Shrek, till he was hiding in a Christmas present, which also backfires as Shrek then tells him to get out.

Thriller Night

The special starts with Shrek bursting out of a movie theatre called The Mirror while screaming, followed by everyone else, including Fiona, Puss in Boots, and Donkey, who are all fine. Fiona checks if Shrek is all right and he replies that he actually wanted to see something scary like Mummies, a Man-Eating Plant, or at least a zombie because it is Halloween.

As Shrek leaves, Donkey and Puss try to cheer up Shrek by singing an upbeat Halloween tune, "Thriller." They start walking down the street (with Shrek annoyed at Donkey's singing), and everyone begins singing along- including the witches and rats. Puss (who plays the role of Vincent Price) tags behind and points to a cemetery where many figures rise from the dead- including Prince Charming, Rumpelstiltskin, Fifi, Fairy Godmother, Lord Farquaad, The Headless Horseman, Captain Hook, Mongo, King Harold, Steve and Ed, Cyclops, Thelonious, and Pied Piper.

Everyone surrounds Shrek, Donkey, Fiona (who is getting ready for a Zombie karate fight), and Puss. Initially, the ogre is excited at the sight of the zombies, only to find the Pied Piper preparing to play his flute. Upset, Shrek tells Fiona that it's time to leave, but much to his horror, his wife has become a zombie. He is also terrified to see that Donkey and Puss also turned into zombies, leading to a big choreographed dance under the Piper's control. Shrek also starts dancing (against his will), with Donkey once again singing, this time with the zombies acting as his chorus.

At the end of the song, Shrek manages to break Pied Piper's flute, complaining that he's going to feel pain in the morning. As he turns around, he sees all of the zombies approaching him to kill him. Donkey then yodels as he and the others close in on Shrek, preparing to eat his brains. Shrek then wakes up screaming, and it is shown that he is in the movie theater before they left, and revealed that he was dreaming the whole time. He asks if "it is over"- to which Fiona tells him that he slept through the previews. Donkey then says he has 3 more hours of children, puppets, and nuns, leaving Shrek horrified.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Donkey does not appear in the second Puss in Boots film, like he didn't make any physical appearance in the first one, because it was a prequel to Shrek and Shrek 2 and happens before Puss met him and Shrek in the forest of Far Far Away where he tried to assassinate them.

This was also a film that happens after the events of the fourth Shrek film where Donkey appears along with Shrek in one of Puss' flashbacks during his confrontation with Death after he nearly caused him his last life of nine where the three best friends walked across a bridge. This also means that ever since Puss returned to Spain, he never forgot about any of his friends back in Far Far Away or the swamp, mostly never forgot about Donkey and Shrek. At the end of the film, Puss and his girlfriend Kitty Softpaws and therapy dog Perrito stole a ship and sailed back to Far Far Away, presumably reuniting with Donkey and Shrek.

Trivia

• Donkey's lower lip sticks out when he gets angry.
• Donkey may hail from Texas because he has buckteeth and speaks with a southern accent.
• Steven Spielberg wanted his good friend Steve Martin to voice Donkey.
• Donkey guest-starred in an episode of Father of the Pride called "Donkey." It portrays him as a rather conceited Hollywood actor whom everyone likes. In the same episode, there was a Donkey stunt double named Jermece (who was voiced by Mark Moseley, who voiced Donkey in the video games). In the show, he appears to shoot a Japanese SUV commercial, but in real life, Donkey was used in Chinese SUV commercials.
• The filmmakers had intended to change Dragon into a beautiful pink winged mare to coincide with Donkey's metamorphosis into a handsome white stallion in Shrek 2, as the Fairy Godmother's Happily Ever After potion affects both the drinker and their “true love”. Dragon's equine depiction never made it into the final film, however, Dragon was not left in her true form either at the time; she only appeared in a post-credits scene, when everyone is "back to normal".
• Donkey is an interact-able character at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood, offering personalized chatter to those that approach his cart.
• One thing known about Donkey is that he likes making waffles. This is noted in Shrek when he says to Shrek "And in the morning, I'm making waffles!" and in Shrek 4-D when he says to Dragon "Let's go home and make some waffles!". He also gets "carried away" with a story about a 50-foot waffle Santa Claus in Shrek the Halls.
• Donkey appeared in the original book as a regular sized donkey who Shrek rode on briefly during his journey.
• Strangely, Donkey does not appear in the first Shrek game for Xbox. Neither was he mentioned.
• In Scared Shrekless, he was voiced by Dean Edwards, who filled in for Eddie Murphy who declined to reprise his role. But in Donkey's Christmas Shrektacular, Murphy returned, although Edwards still replaced him in Thriller Night.
• In Shrek 2, he cried "I'M MELTING. I'M MELTING!" after he drank the Happily Ever After potion and it started to rain. This is a reference to Who Framed Roger Rabbit, where Judge Doom cried "I'M MELTING! I'M MELTING!" as he dissolved in Dip. This is also a reference to the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.
• Despite not appearing in the film, Shrek and Donkey are featured in the new Kung Fu Panda 3 commercial that spoofs the recent Snickers advertisements. However, Monkey and Po aren't just themselves when they are hungry. This delightful tease gives us a few jokes, but we don't get to see much more from the actual film itself, which is in theaters in just a few short weeks.
• In Shrek 2, he mentioned that a farmer tried to sell him with magic beans, which meant the fairytale story he's from could be Jack and the Beanstalk.

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Media Feature Length Films: Shrek (soundtrack/video/video game) (2001) • Shrek 2 (soundtrack/video/video game) (2004) • Shrek the Third (soundtrack/video/video game) (2007) • Shrek Forever After (soundtrack/video/video game) (2010) • Puss in Boots (soundtrack/video/video game) (2011) • Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (soundtrack/video) (2022) • Shrek 5 (2027) TV Specials: Shrek 4-D • Shrek the Halls • Scared Shrekless • Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos Shows: The Adventures of Puss in Boots Shorts: Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party • Far Far Away Idol • Donkey's Caroling Christmas-tacular • Thriller Night • The Pig Who Cried Werewolf • The Trident Books: Shrek • Puss in Boots Video Games: Shrek SuperSlam • Shrek Smash n' Crash Racing • Shrek Super Party • DreamWorks Super Star Kartz Theatrical Plays: Shrek The Musical Characters Protagonists: Shrek • Donkey • Fiona • Puss in Boots • Kitty Softpaws • Perrito Allies: Dragon • Pinocchio • Gingerbread Man • Three Little Pigs • Wolf • Three Blind Mice • Queen Lillian • King Harold • Mongo • Arthur Pendragon • Doris • Snow White • Cinderella • Sleeping Beauty • Merlin • Farkle, Fergus and Felicia • Dronkeys • Brogan • Cookie • Gretched • Dulcinea Villains: Lord Farquaad • Thelonious • Monsieur Hood • Merry Men • Fairy Godmother • Prince Charming • Rapunzel • Captain Hook • Evil Queen • Stromboli the Puppet Master • Headless Horseman • Cyclops • Steve and Ed • Rumpelstiltskin • Fifi • Pied Piper • Griselda • Sugar • Jack & Jill • Humpty Dumpty • The Terror • Bloodwolf • "Big" Jack Horner • Death • Goldilocks • Three Bears (Papa Bear • Mama Bear • Baby Bear) • Serpent Sisters Others: Magic Mirror • Mister Geppetto • Peter Pan • Little Red Riding Hood • Little Mermaid • Muffin Man • Mabel • Sir Lancelot • Butter Pants • Imelda • Timmy • Perla • Gonzalo • Alessandra Belagomba • The Sphinx • Callista • Fartholomew Fishflinger • Roz • Doctor • Mama Luna • Talking Cricket • Phoenix Locations Duloc • Far Far Away • Ogre Swamp • Poison Apple Inn • Potion Factory • Worcestershire Boarding School Songs I'm a Believer • Livin' la Vida Loca • All Star • Best Years of Our Lives • Accidentally in Love • Darling I Do • Ever Fallen in Love • Barracuda • Stayin' Alive • Funkytown • Y.M.C.A. • Girls Just Want to Have Fun • Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) • Le Freak • Happy Together • Bad Reputation • Disco Inferno • Feelings • Hungry Like the Wolf • Immigrant Song • Baby Got Back • I'm On My Way • Hooked on a Feeling • Top of the World • What I Like About You • Who Let the Dogs Out? • Welcome to Duloc • These Boots are Made for Walkin' • Sugar, Sugar • Royal Pain • Losing Streak • Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) • My Beloved Monster • Like Wow! • Thriller • Holding Out for a Hero • Like a Virgin • Live and Let Die See also