Shrek And Donkey's Voices Revealed By Their Surprising Actors
Shrek was voiced by Mike Myers, and Donkey was voiced by Eddie Murphy in the original 2001 film and the main Shrek movie series. Their performances became one of the franchise's defining pairings, with Myers playing the grumpy ogre and Murphy delivering Donkey's fast-talking comic energy.
Main voice cast
The central voices people usually mean when asking who played Shrek and Donkey are Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy. Myers voiced Shrek, while Murphy voiced Donkey, beginning with Shrek released on May 18, 2001 in the United States. The film's top cast listing identifies those roles exactly, alongside Cameron Diaz as Fiona and John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad.
Why these voices stood out
Mike Myers gave Shrek a Scottish accent after re-recording his dialogue, which helped the character feel distinct from the usual fairy-tale hero archetype. Eddie Murphy's improvisational style made Donkey one of the most recognizable animated sidekicks of the 2000s, and the pairing worked because the two voices created constant contrast in tone and rhythm. That contrast is a big reason the movie became such a lasting hit.
Voice actors at a glance
| Character | Voice actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shrek | Mike Myers | Main voice performance in the 2001 film and franchise |
| Donkey | Eddie Murphy | Main voice performance in the 2001 film and franchise |
| Princess Fiona | Cameron Diaz | Often cited with the lead duo in franchise coverage |
| Lord Farquaad | John Lithgow | Supporting villain in the first film |
How the roles were cast
The casting of Myers and Murphy was a major part of the film's identity from the start. IMDb's cast listing shows Mike Myers as Shrek and Eddie Murphy as Donkey, and multiple franchise retrospectives continue to highlight them as the heart of the movie's voice ensemble. Their performances helped turn a simple fairy-tale parody into a long-running global brand.
Franchise impact
Shrek became DreamWorks' breakthrough animated phenomenon, and the original film won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2002. Donkey, in particular, became so popular that Murphy's performance is still singled out in cast retrospectives and voice-acting roundups years later. The characters' chemistry stayed central across sequels, specials, and spin-offs.
- Shrek: Mike Myers.
- Donkey: Eddie Murphy.
- Original film release: May 18, 2001 in the U.S.
- Best Animated Feature win: 2002 Academy Awards.
Context and legacy
In broad franchise coverage, the cast list is often used as a shorthand for why the film worked: Myers brought dry, reluctant warmth to Shrek, while Murphy made Donkey relentlessly funny and emotionally open. That combination gave the movie a rare balance of sarcasm and heart, and it helped the characters travel well across generations. In practical terms, these two voices are the answer most viewers are looking for when they ask who played Shrek and Donkey.
- Identify the character.
- Match Shrek to Mike Myers.
- Match Donkey to Eddie Murphy.
- Use the first film as the reference point for the original voices.
Fast answer
Shrek was played by Mike Myers, and Donkey was played by Eddie Murphy. Those are the names most directly associated with the characters in the original film and the franchise's most recognizable voice performances.
Helpful tips and tricks for Shrek And Donkeys Voices Revealed By Their Surprising Actors
Who voiced Shrek?
Mike Myers voiced Shrek in the original 2001 film and across the main Shrek franchise.
Who voiced Donkey?
Eddie Murphy voiced Donkey in the original 2001 film and across the main Shrek franchise.
Did the actors change in later projects?
The main film series kept Mike Myers as Shrek and Eddie Murphy as Donkey, though some side projects and special appearances used different performers in limited cases. The core answer for the franchise remains Myers and Murphy.