What is the name of McDonald's clown mascot, first created for advertising in 1963?

McDonald's clown mascot, first created for advertising in 1963, is Ronald McDonald.

Ronald was developed as a child-friendly character to make the restaurant more memorable to families. Early television advertising presented him as a colorful clown associated with McDonald's food and restaurants. His bright costume, red hair, and exaggerated makeup made him easy for children to recognize.

The character became the central figure of a larger fictional McDonaldland cast. Characters such as the Hamburglar, Grimace, and Mayor McCheese later expanded the brand's fantasy world, especially in children-oriented advertising and promotions.

Ronald McDonald is sometimes mixed up with Speedee, the earlier chef mascot, or with the Hamburglar, another McDonaldland character. Speedee belonged to the company's original fast-service identity, while Ronald became the best-known human-like face of its family branding.