Ronald McDonald was the character who replaced Speedee in McDonald’s national advertising during the 1960s.
The clown character first appeared in a 1963 television commercial for the Washington, D.C., area, where he was played by Willard Scott. McDonald’s then developed Ronald into a national advertising figure and the central personality of its family-oriented brand.
Ronald was not the first mascot associated with McDonald’s; Speedee had represented the business since 1948. Ronald also predates the larger group of McDonaldland characters, including Grimace and the Hamburglar. His appearance and advertising role changed over the years, but the name remained consistent.