Ronald McDonald became McDonald’s principal clown mascot after debuting in 1963.
The character was created for McDonald’s television advertising and was initially portrayed by Willard Scott, who was then a local television personality in Washington, D.C. Ronald’s bright clothing, red hair, and clown makeup made him visually distinctive to children.
Ronald later became the central figure in McDonald’s character-based advertising. Other characters, including the Hamburglar, Grimace, Birdie, and Mayor McCheese, were associated with McDonaldland, but Ronald remained the best-known face of the campaign.
People sometimes confuse Ronald’s debut with the introduction of McDonaldland as a broader fictional setting. Ronald appeared first in advertising, while the expanded cast and world developed through later commercials and promotions. His image became one of the most recognizable mascots in restaurant branding.