Ronald McDonald first appeared in a McDonald’s advertisement in 1963.
The character debuted in a television commercial made for the Washington, D.C., area. Willard Scott played the original Ronald, who was designed to attract children and families to the growing restaurant chain.
Ronald’s introduction expanded McDonald’s branding beyond its logo, food, and restaurant architecture. He became the central figure in a broader cast of characters that later included the Hamburglar, Grimace, and Mayor McCheese.
Ronald’s early appearance was not identical to the character known from later campaigns. His costume and makeup evolved over time, which can make photographs from the 1960s look unfamiliar to modern audiences.