What is the name of McDonald’s clown mascot introduced in United States advertising in 1963?

The clown mascot introduced in United States McDonald’s advertising in 1963 was Ronald McDonald.

Ronald first appeared in a 1963 television commercial created for the Washington, D.C., market. The character was played by television personality Willard Scott, who had also portrayed the weather character Bozo the Clown. Ronald’s costume used McDonald’s visual cues, including red-and-yellow colors and a hamburger-themed hat.

The character quickly became the central figure in McDonald’s child-oriented marketing. He was later placed in the fictional world of McDonaldland alongside characters such as Grimace, the Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese. This helped McDonald’s build a recognizable cast rather than relying only on product advertising.

Ronald McDonald is sometimes confused with the earlier Speedee mascot. Speedee represented efficient food preparation and belonged to the company’s earlier identity; Ronald represented family entertainment and restaurant visits. The character’s prominence later declined in some markets as the company changed its approach to children’s marketing.