McDonald’s first introduced Ronald McDonald as its mascot in 1963.
The character appeared in early television advertising as a clown connected with McDonald’s restaurants. Willard Scott played Ronald in the first widely known commercials, helping establish the character as a recognizable figure for children and families.
Ronald McDonald later became the central figure of McDonald’s children’s marketing and was associated with the fictional world of McDonaldland. His costume, makeup, and supporting cast changed over time, but the character’s basic identity remained tied to the company’s name and restaurants.
The year is sometimes confused with the introduction of McDonaldland, which followed later. Ronald came first as an advertising character; the broader fantasy setting and its additional characters developed afterward. He also replaced the earlier Speedee mascot in public prominence, marking a major change in McDonald’s brand personality.