What is the name of the McDonald's advertising character who is a clown?

The McDonald's advertising character who is a clown is Ronald McDonald.

Ronald was introduced in the 1960s as a colorful character designed to appeal especially to children and families. His red hair, yellow clothing, striped details, and clown makeup made him visually distinctive in television commercials, restaurant appearances, and promotional material.

The character became the central figure in McDonald's fictional McDonaldland setting, where he appeared alongside characters including the Hamburglar, Grimace, and Mayor McCheese. This cast gave the company a way to build stories and imaginative campaigns around the restaurant rather than relying only on product demonstrations.

Ronald is often mistakenly treated as McDonald's original mascot. Speedee had served as an earlier mascot connected with the company's quick-service identity. Ronald's importance lies in the later shift toward family entertainment and character-based branding. His design also developed over time, with changes to clothing and presentation as McDonald's advertising style changed.