McDonald’s introduced Ronald McDonald as its main mascot in 1963.
The character first appeared in a television commercial created for the Washington, D.C., market. Weather presenter and television personality Willard Scott portrayed Ronald in that initial advertisement, wearing a costume assembled from McDonald’s food packaging, including a cup-shaped hat and a tray-like belt.
Ronald quickly became a central part of McDonald’s identity aimed at children. He was later presented as the friendly host of McDonaldland, a fictional setting populated by characters such as the Hamburglar, Grimace, and Mayor McCheese. The character’s design and supporting cast changed over time, but Ronald remained the best-known face of the brand for decades.
A common mix-up is confusing Ronald McDonald’s introduction with the creation of McDonaldland. Ronald debuted in 1963, while the broader McDonaldland advertising world developed later. The character also predates many of the specific McDonaldland figures associated with later campaigns.