Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Mike Myers Showed Up in Full Shrek Costume to Honor Eddie Murphy at AFI Life Achievement Award
At the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony Saturday night honoring Eddie Murphy, Myers arrived dressed as Shrek — green makeup, ogre ears and all — delivering one of the most memorable tributes of the evening in a moment that quickly lit up social media.
The costume was a loving nod to Murphy’s iconic role as Donkey in the Shrek franchise, a partnership that has spanned decades and defined animated comedy for an entire generation. Footage of the appearance, shared on Reddit, captured the full scope of Myers’ commitment to the bit — and the genuine affection behind it.
“One of the Greatest”
Myers used the moment to make clear just how essential Murphy was to the franchise’s success.
“None of Shrek’s success could have happened without Eddie Murphy,” Myers said at the ceremony. “Eddie’s character, Donkey, is a masterpiece, as is every character Eddie has created over the years.”
He didn’t stop there. Myers offered a broader tribute to Murphy’s talents, calling him “Lovable, hilarious, joyous, vulnerable, and loyal. Eddie combines all of those in a tour de force, and plainly put, Eddie is one of the greatest.”
The tribute turned personal, too. Myers reflected on what the collaboration has meant to him beyond the screen.
“It is my absolute honor to say and to be able to tell my kids that I got to work with Eddie Murphy,” he said.
The Shrek-themed tribute carries extra weight right now. Shrek 5 has a scheduled theatrical release of June 30, 2027, with a returning cast that includes Myers, Murphy and Cameron Diaz. The AFI ceremony gave Myers a chance to celebrate the franchise’s past while the next chapter is already in motion.
Hollywood Heavyweights Honor Eddie Murphy
Murphy received the American Film Institute’s highest honor on April 18, and the evening drew a stacked lineup of presenters and performers paying their respects to a career that has shaped comedy for nearly 50 years.
Among those offering tributes were Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Arsenio Hall, Judge Reinhold and Kenan Thompson — a roster reflecting the breadth of Murphy’s influence across stand-up, sketch comedy and film.
Jennifer Hudson performed a Dreamgirls medley during the ceremony, honoring the 2006 film starring Murphy. His role in that film earned him both a Golden Globe and a SAG Award.
Murphy’s nearly 50-year career in entertainment stretches from early stand-up success, including performing at major venues like Madison Square Garden, to a four-season run as a Saturday Night Live cast member that made him a household name while still in his early twenties.
His filmography reads like a catalog of comedy landmarks: Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, The Nutty Professor and the Shrek franchise. Each chapter showcased a different dimension of his talent, from physical comedy to voice acting to dramatic work.
The AFI honor puts Murphy in rare company, recognizing not just box office success but lasting cultural impact — the kind of career where a co-star shows up in green face paint two decades later and it makes perfect sense.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Life & Style does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.