In McDonald’s branding history, the purple blob character introduced in 1971 was Grimace.
Grimace joined the McDonaldland cast in 1971. Early versions of the character were associated with a more mischievous concept, but Grimace later became known primarily as a friendly, large purple figure who enjoyed McDonald’s shakes and food. His simple shape and unusual color made him easy to recognize in advertising and merchandise.
The character’s design and personality changed over time. That evolution is why descriptions from different periods may not look identical: early promotional material and later campaigns emphasized different traits. Modern references generally treat Grimace as a cheerful friend of Ronald McDonald.
Grimace is sometimes confused with other purple mascots or with a product-specific character, but he is a named member of the McDonaldland cast. His introduction predates several later advertising characters and helped establish the colorful ensemble associated with McDonald’s children’s marketing.