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Chris Rock Reveals He Almost Voiced Shrek's Donkey, Jokes About Missing Millions — Melanin News | Melanin
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Chris Rock Reveals He Almost Voiced Shrek's Donkey, Jokes About Missing MillionsCelebrity

Chris Rock Reveals He Almost Voiced Shrek's Donkey, Jokes About Missing Millions

1w ago

Chris Rock recently dropped a bombshell revelation, sharing that he was in contention to voice one of animation's most beloved characters: Donkey from the massively successful "Shrek" films. The role, famously brought to life by fellow comedy titan Eddie Murphy, was a significant opportunity Rock reportedly missed out on, a fact he discussed during a live taping of the *Fly on the Wall* podcast on May 15, 2026, as part of the Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival.

Rock detailed how DreamWorks, the studio behind the franchise, approached him to play Donkey on at least two separate occasions. The reason for their interest, according to Rock, stemmed from Eddie Murphy's recording habits. Reports indicate Murphy, despite having a recording studio in his own home, would sometimes make DreamWorks wait months to record his voice lines. This delay opened the door for Rock, who expressed his excitement at the prospect of taking over the iconic role.

Image related to Chris Rock Reveals He Almost Voiced Shrek's Donkey, Jokes About Missing Millions
Related image from the original report Source

Ultimately, Murphy returned to the role, continuing his run as the wise-cracking Donkey through all four sequels of the franchise. Rock humorously recounted the moment he learned Murphy was back on board, saying, "I'm on my way to the studio. Yeah, I'm Donkey! Oh, Eddie went downstairs. F---! F---! He's in his pajamas doing Donkey right now." He then quipped about being "out of $30 million, just because Eddie went downstairs."

Long before this near-miss, the careers of Chris Rock and Eddie Murphy were intertwined in a crucial way. Rock, born Christopher Julius Rock III in South Carolina in 1965, moved to Brooklyn as a child. He navigated a challenging adolescence, facing racial prejudice and bullying, which led him to leave James Madison High School before earning his GED. While working odd jobs, including as a busboy, Rock harbored a deep ambition to write jokes, a dream he'd held since childhood.

Eddie Murphy, a Brooklyn native born in 1961, rose to national prominence rapidly after joining the cast of *Saturday Night Live* in 1980 at just 19 years old. His distinct comedic voice quickly made him a star in the 1980s, with blockbuster films like *48 Hrs.*, *Trading Places*, and *Beverly Hills Cop* solidifying his status as a major Hollywood player.

Eddie Murphy Delirious
Eddie Murphy Delirious Source

The pivotal moment for Rock came when Murphy discovered him performing stand-up. Reports indicate Murphy saw Rock at a New York comedy club, possibly The Comic Strip, when Rock was around 18 to 20 years old. Rock was reportedly not even scheduled to perform, instead stacking chairs for stage time. Murphy, noticing no other Black comics on the bill, insisted Rock be put on stage. Despite being "real scared," Rock delivered a strong set that impressed Murphy. This led to Rock's first film role as a parking valet in Murphy's 1987 hit, *Beverly Hills Cop II*.

Rock has often spoken about Murphy's profound impact on his career, crediting him as a mentor. He has been quoted saying, "Everything I've become, Eddie Murphy told me I was gonna be the first day I met him." This early break and mentorship set Rock on a path to becoming one of comedy's most recognized voices, much like Murphy himself.

The "Shrek" franchise, which launched its first film in 2001, has since become one of the most financially successful animated series ever, grossing over $4 billion across its four sequels. Murphy's consistent portrayal of Donkey contributed to what many considered a "second career peak" for him during that era. While Rock didn't land the Donkey role, he did go on to voice Marty the zebra in another successful animated film franchise, *Madagascar*.

This story highlights the competitive nature of Hollywood, even among friends and mentors. While Rock's comments about the missed $30 million were made in jest, they underscore the high stakes involved in securing major roles. The enduring, complex relationship between the two comedians was also evident more recently when Eddie Murphy, accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2023 Golden Globes, made a joke referencing the widely publicized incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. Murphy advised, "There's three things: pay your taxes, mind your business, and keep Will Smith's wife's name out your f---ing mouth!" This moment further illustrates the camaraderie and shared history that continues to connect these two influential figures in Black culture and comedy.