Mike Myers didn’t just give a speech. He went full ogre.
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.
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Myers used his time onstage to pour one out for Murphy’s iconic role as Donkey, and honestly, his words hit in a way that felt deeply genuine. This wasn’t Hollywood small talk. This was one comedy giant telling the world what another comedy giant means to him.
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“None of Shrek’s success could have happened without Eddie Murphy,” Myers said, per footage shared on Reddit.
He continued: “Eddie’s character, Donkey, is a masterpiece, as is every character Eddie has created over the years.”
Then came the line that really landed.
“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.”
And if that wasn’t enough to make you feel something, Myers capped it off with a personal note that spoke volumes about the weight of the moment: “It is my absolute honor to say and to be able to tell my kids that I got to work with Eddie Murphy.”
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Myers wasn’t the only one who came to celebrate. The ceremony featured a roster of tributes that reads like the lineup at the greatest comedy show never staged. Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Arsenio Hall, Judge Reinhold and Kenan Thompson all showed up to honor Murphy’s nearly 50-year career in entertainment.
Jennifer Hudson performed a Dreamgirls medley, a nod to the 2006 film starring Murphy, for which he won a Golden Globe and SAG Award.
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Murphy received the American Film Institute’s highest honor, and it’s hard to think of someone more deserving. His career stretches back nearly 50 years, from early stand-up success that included performing at major venues like Madison Square Garden to becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member for four seasons during the show’s most electric era.
From there, the film roles came fast and became instant classics: Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, The Nutty Professor and the Shrek franchise. For Gen Xers and elder millennials, these weren’t just movies — they were cultural touchstones that shaped how an entire generation understood comedy.
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Myers’ full-costume tribute carries some extra weight right now. Shrek 5 has a scheduled theatrical release of June 30, 2027, with returning cast including Myers, Murphy and Cameron Diaz. The gang is literally getting back together.
Seeing Myers in that green makeup wasn’t just a bit. It was a reminder that the friendship and creative partnership behind those films is still very much alive — and that the best might not be behind them.
