Real life donkey that inspired Eddie Murphy’s character in Shrek dies aged 30

A REAL-life donkey that inspired Eddie Murphy's character in Shrek has died aged 30.

Born in New York in 1994, Perry rose to fame after animators modelled the Donkey character in the original 2001 Shrek movie based on him.

Perry’s death was announced on the Barron Park Donkeys Instagram account.

The donkey from California's Bol Park was euthanised after battling a painful hoof disease, reports.

They said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that I am reporting the death of the incomparable Perry.

"We are heartbroken with his passing, but recently he had been in increasing pain, suffering from a condition known as laminitis which is not curable. This was the right time [for him] to say goodbye although still too soon for us.

"In Perry’s last weeks, handlers spent many hours at the pasture with him, petting him, cradling him, singing to him, and telling him that he was and always will be loved.

"We are all blessed for having known him and we will never, ever forget him.”

Perry became a celebrity after Shrek's international success.

Jenny Kiratli, Perry’s lead handler, told SFGATE: "It’s evident if you know Perry and watch the movie that it’s him.

"It’s amazing how much of our donkey is in Donkey, the way he flips his head when he’s mad at Shrek, the way he trots."

Shrek is considered to be one of the most popular animated film series of all time.

The movie received the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

However, Perry was paid just £60 for the movie and was not mentioned in the credits section, according to the Barron Donkey Project.