Grimace was McDonald's 1970s character with a purple, blob-like appearance.
Grimace was introduced as a large purple character in McDonald's advertising and became one of the central figures in the McDonaldland cast. His early portrayal differed from the friendly, simple character familiar to later audiences. Over time, McDonald's removed some of the original character's more unusual features and emphasized his gentle, child-friendly personality.
The character's purpose was less specific than the Hamburglar's or Captain Crook's. Grimace functioned as a recognizable friend in the brand's fictional world and appeared in commercials, restaurant promotions, toys, and other marketing. His distinctive shape and color made him easy to identify beside Ronald McDonald.
Uncle O'Grimacey is a separate character associated with the seasonal Shamrock Shake promotion. Birdie the Early Bird is also separate and was linked with breakfast advertising. Neither name refers to the main purple character.