Ronald McDonald was introduced as a McDonald’s advertising character in 1963.
The character was created to appeal especially to children and families, giving McDonald’s a friendly personality beyond its food and restaurant design. Early portrayals used distinctive food-themed clothing, including a cup-like hat and a tray, before the character developed his familiar clown appearance.
Willard Scott played Ronald in early television advertising, helping establish the character for American audiences. Ronald later became the central figure in a much larger collection of McDonald’s fictional characters and settings.
Ronald’s introduction came after Speedee, the chain’s earlier chef mascot. It also preceded the broad 1970s expansion of McDonald’s character branding. Ronald McDonald should not be confused with Ronald McDonald House Charities, which was founded later and uses the character’s name but is a separate charitable organization.