What mascot did McDonald's introduce in 1963 as its famous clown character?

McDonald's introduced Ronald McDonald in 1963 as its famous clown character.

The character was created for advertising aimed especially at children. Willard Scott, then a television personality in Washington, D.C., played an early version of Ronald for local McDonald's commercials. That first design used recognizable fast-food imagery, including a tray-like hat and a cup-shaped nose.

Ronald's appearance changed as the character became a national advertising figure. McDonald's later gave him a bright yellow jumpsuit, red-and-white striped clothing, red hair, and oversized shoes. His friends and supporting characters appeared in a fictional setting often called McDonaldland.

People sometimes confuse Ronald McDonald with the Hamburglar or Grimace, but those are separate McDonald's characters. Ronald remained the chain's best-known mascot for decades, although the company greatly reduced his public advertising presence in the 2010s. The 1963 introduction is the key date associated with his branding history.