Ronald McDonald was McDonald’s first national advertising mascot, introduced in the early 1960s.
McDonald’s had used Speedee in earlier branding, but Ronald became the company’s major national character during its rapid expansion. His clown image connected the restaurant with children and families and gave television advertising a recurring personality. The character was first portrayed by Willard Scott in early commercials before later versions established the familiar costume and appearance.
Ronald should not be confused with the McDonaldland characters introduced later as a larger fictional cast. He was the central human-like mascot, while characters such as the Hamburglar and Grimace supported later campaign storylines. His long-running presence made him one of the most recognizable figures in fast-food advertising.