Ronald McDonald is the name of McDonald's long-running corporate mascot, a clown first advertised in 1963.
Ronald was created for television advertising and quickly became the most prominent personification of the McDonald's brand. His costume, red hair, and clown makeup made him easy to recognize, particularly in advertising aimed at children and families.
The character was later placed within McDonaldland, a fictional setting populated by several McDonald's advertising figures. That setting helped the company build a connected group of mascots rather than relying only on product-focused commercials.
Ronald is distinct from Speedee, the earlier mascot associated with McDonald's original fast-service identity. He is also distinct from Grimace and the Hamburglar, who were later additions to the brand's advertising cast.