Ronald McDonald first appeared in a 1963 McDonald's television commercial.
The character was created to give the restaurant a distinctive family-friendly advertising figure. Early versions used recognizable McDonald's products as costume elements, including a tray-like hat and a cup-shaped nose, before the character settled into his familiar clown appearance.
Willard Scott played Ronald in the earliest commercials. Scott had already performed a clown character on television, making him a natural choice for a role designed to attract children and families.
Ronald McDonald should not be confused with Speedee, McDonald's earlier mascot. Speedee represented speed and efficiency; Ronald became the central personality in the company's expanding advertising world and eventually appeared alongside other McDonaldland characters.