what accent does shrek have
Matthew Wilson
Updated on June 10, 2026
It’s hard to imagine but Shrek was never supposed to have a Scottish accent and in an earlier version of the character had a slight New York twang. The movie’s creators originally cast Chris Farley to voice the character, with the comedian recording most of his lines before sadly passing away in 1997.
What country is Shrek’s accent?
The character of Shrek, played by Mike Myers, had a Canadian accent because it was based in the country that Mike was born and raised in. Also, Scottish characters have the appearance to be more vulnerable, which is what make their voices so powerful in a split second, as ogre was known to do when angry on first sight.
What accent do the people in Shrek have?
We may know the character of Shrek by his instantly recognisable Scottish accent, but the character was originally meant to sound very different. The Dreamworks animated film, which turns 20 today (18 May), stars Mike Myers as an ogre forced to go on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz).
Why did they give Shrek a Scottish accent?
Why Did Mike Myers Give Shrek A Scottish Accent? Since Mike had a desire for an accent more representative of the “working class,” he chose Scottish for his dialect. He also believes Scottish words may add more vulnerability to Shrek, and think the accent will make him a character who gets angry a second, not in time.
What ethnicity is Shrek?
Fictional biography. Shrek is a gigantic, green-skinned, physically intimidating ogre with a Scottish accent.
Is Mike Myers British?
Early Life. A talented comedic writer and actor, Myers was born to British parents in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, on May 25, 1963. His father, Eric, who worked as an encyclopedia salesman, was an important influence on Myers.
Is Shrek from Canada?
Mike Myers has revealed how Shrek almost turned out Canadian. Mike Myers has revealed how Shrek almost turned out Canadian. He persuaded producer Steven Spielberg to re-tape his parts, so he could make the character a Scot.
Is Mike Myers half Scottish?
Despite having no Scottish background, Canadian actor Mike Myers enjoys doing Scottish accents. During his childhood in Canada, Myers recalls hearing numerous Scottish accents. He is the son of a Liverpool woman.
What part of Scotland is Shrek from?
Donkey and Shrek in action together. At the beginning of the 2001 film Shrek, the title character makes his living as a recluse living in a tent in the woods of Duloc, which contains a swamp.
What accent does Fiona from Shrek have?
After discovering that English actors Julie Andrews and John Cleese would voice her parents Queen Lillian and King Harold, respectively, in Shrek 2, Diaz regretted voicing her character with her default Californian accent as opposed to a British accent.
Is Mike Myers Irish or Scottish?
My parents were from Liverpool and emigrated to Canada before I was born. We also have Scottish heritage. My relatives were railway workers and miners.
What accent does Lord Farquaad have?
As Shrek’s nemesis Lord Farquaard (John Lithgow) spoke with a posh English accent, Myers revealed in an interview that he wanted Shrek to seem “working class” in comparison.
Why is Shrek Irish?
Mike wanted a more “working class” accent, and he decided that should be Scottish. The comedian also thought Scottish would make Shrek sound more vulnerable, and that it was a great accent to have Shrek go from happy to angry in a split second, as the character was known to do.
Why is Shrek the only one with an accent?
A Scottish accent somehow captures all that.” Myers also explained that a Scottish accent “sounds working-class and I think ogres would be working-class.” Being the only character with such an accent, it not only further isolated Shrek, it allowed him to contrast specifically with the movie’s villain, the aristocratic-
Who was Shrek’s original voice?
Chris Farley was originally cast as the voice for the title character, recording nearly all of the required dialogue. After Farley died in 1997 before his work on the film was finished, Mike Myers was hired to voice the character, eventually settling on giving Shrek a Scottish accent.
Are ogres Scottish?
Etymology. The word ogre is of French origin, originally derived from the name of the Etruscan god Orcus, who fed on human flesh.
What is shreks last name?
As the Shrek movies don’t offer his last name, he has no such last name. You may be wondering why he is married toFiona. The Queen of Hearts was known as PrincessFiona. We’ve all guessed that they both sound like ogres because they are named Fiona and ogre respectively.