What was the name of McDonald’s first major family mascot, introduced in 1963?

Ronald McDonald was McDonald’s first major family mascot, introduced in 1963.

The character was created for television advertising aimed at children and families. Willard Scott, then a Washington, D.C., television personality and weather presenter, portrayed Ronald in an early local McDonald’s commercial. The character wore a brightly colored outfit and used a hamburger-themed costume design to connect him immediately with the brand.

Ronald’s role expanded as McDonald’s developed the fictional McDonaldland setting during the late 1960s and 1970s. Characters such as the Hamburglar, Grimace, and Mayor McCheese helped turn individual advertisements into a larger branded world. Ronald became the central human-like figure in that advertising universe.

Ronald McDonald should not be confused with Speedee, the earlier chef mascot. Speedee represented rapid service and the restaurant’s original operating concept, while Ronald represented children’s entertainment, imagination, and family visits.