Ronald McDonald made his advertising debut for McDonald's in 1963.
The character first appeared in a Washington, D.C., television commercial. Willard Scott, then a local television personality and weather presenter, portrayed Ronald in that early advertisement. The character was designed as a friendly clown who could connect McDonald's with children and family occasions.
Ronald's appearance changed over time. Early versions used a tray as a hat and a paper cup as a nose, while later campaigns established the more familiar red-haired clown costume. McDonald's expanded the character's use nationally, and Ronald became the central figure in a growing group of fictional McDonaldland characters.
The debut date is sometimes confused with the creation of McDonaldland, which was a broader advertising world developed later. Ronald appeared first as a promotional character, while the surrounding cast and setting evolved through subsequent campaigns. His long-running use made him one of the most recognizable advertising mascots in the world.