There are red carpet moments, and then there are movie history moments. Mike Myers delivered the latter in spectacular style as he stepped out in one of his most unexpected appearances in years to honour longtime friend and collaborator Eddie Murphy at the prestigious AFI Life Achievement Awards.
In a move that instantly delighted fans, Mike appeared wearing a full green prosthetic mask, transforming himself into none other than Shrek, the beloved ogre he famously voiced. It was a playful, deeply nostalgic tribute that nodded to the pair’s enduring on-screen partnership.
Because of course, long before this awards night reunion, the two icons created cinematic magic together in Shrek, with Mike voicing the grumpy-but-lovable ogre and Eddie bringing the endlessly energetic Donkey to life. Their chemistry became the beating heart of the franchise, turning it into one of the most successful animated series of all time.
Taking to the stage, still fully in character, Mike leaned into the moment, delivering his tribute behind the podium with unmistakable flair.
The green mask, paired with a perfectly tailored black tuxedo and bow tie, struck that rare balance between comedy and reverence, reminding the audience just how influential their collaboration has been.
“None of the ‘Shrek’ success could have happened without Eddie Murphy; his character Donkey is a masterpiece,” Mike said on stage.
© Getty Images“As is every character that Eddie has created…. It is an absolute honour to be able to tell my kids that I got to work with Eddie Murphy.”
Earlier in the evening, Mike had walked the red carpet without the prosthetics, looking suave in a classic black suit, before later revealing the full Shrek transformation for his speech. The dramatic switch only added to the impact, catching both fans and fellow guests by surprise.
Meanwhile, Eddie, the man of the hour, looked every inch the legend as he accepted the coveted honour, joined by fellow stars including Dave Chappelle. Holding his award, he beamed as friends and collaborators celebrated a career that has shaped decades of comedy and film.
© Getty ImagesThe AFI Life Achievement Award is one of Hollywood’s highest honours, recognising a lifetime of contribution to the industry.
Mike’s return to the spotlight comes after a few quiet years away from the screen, with his last on-screen role being in David O. Russell’s 2022 film, Amsterdam.
In the same year, Mike ventured into television with the creation and starring role in the Netflix series The Pentaverate.
Despite his somewhat reclusive nature in recent years, there has been buzzing speculation about him working on a fourth installment of the Austin Powers series.
© Getty Images for AFIHowever, updates remain elusive. In a playful tease during an interview on The Jess Cagle Show in May 2022, Mike quipped, “I can neither confirm nor deny the existence or non-existence of such a project, should it exist or not exist. [That’s a] non-confirmed confirmation,” leaving fans both intrigued and amused.
Away from the cameras and glitz of Hollywood, Mike enjoys a low-profile life with his wife Kelly Tisdale, 47, and their three children: Spike, 12, Sunday, 10, and Paulina, eight.
The couple, who first met in 2006, opted for a quiet wedding in 2010, reflecting their preference for privacy and intimacy.
Despite his illustrious career, Mike humorously revealed in an interview with People while promoting “Amsterdam” that his children are remarkably unimpressed with his Hollywood endeavors, saying, “They’re remarkably unexcited about anything [I do], which is great.”
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