What was the name of McDonald's clown mascot first portrayed by Willard Scott?

Ronald McDonald was the McDonald's clown mascot first portrayed by Willard Scott.

Scott portrayed the character in early McDonald's television advertising in the 1960s. Ronald was designed as a friendly, highly visible figure who could make the brand appealing to children and families, especially during an era when television advertising was becoming central to restaurant marketing.

The character's early costume used McDonald's products as visual props, including a tray-like hat and a cup-shaped shoe. His design later became more standardized as Ronald appeared in national advertising, restaurant promotions, and the fictional McDonaldland setting.

Ronald should not be confused with the Hamburglar or other McDonaldland characters. Those figures supported the wider fictional world, while Ronald remained the company's principal humanlike mascot for decades.