Ronald McDonald became McDonald’s primary advertising mascot after debuting in a 1963 television commercial.
The character was created for McDonald’s family marketing and was originally portrayed by Willard Scott, a television personality who had also played Bozo the Clown. Ronald’s appearance used recognizable fast-food imagery, including a red-and-yellow costume and a tray-like accessory.
McDonald’s expanded the character into a larger fictional world called McDonaldland. Ronald appeared alongside characters such as Grimace, the Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese in advertising aimed especially at children and families.
Speedee was the company’s earlier mascot, but Ronald gradually replaced him as McDonald’s public face. The character’s exact costume and supporting cast changed over time, yet Ronald remained closely associated with the brand for decades.