Ronald McDonald first appeared as a McDonald's mascot in 1963.
The character was created for McDonald's television advertising during the company's rapid expansion across the United States. The first Ronald was played by Willard Scott, who was then known as a television personality and weather presenter in Washington, D.C.
Early versions of Ronald McDonald had a costume built from McDonald's food packaging, including a cup used as a hat and a tray-like element. Later designers refined his appearance into the red-haired clown character recognized by generations of customers.
Ronald joined an existing branding tradition rather than replacing the Golden Arches. He gave McDonald's a personality for children's advertising, while the arches remained the company's principal visual symbol. Speedee, the chain's earlier mascot, belongs to the pre-Ronald period.