What was the name of McDonald's first nationally recognized mascot, introduced in 1963?

Ronald McDonald was McDonald's first nationally recognized mascot, introduced in 1963.

The character was created to give McDonald's a memorable personality for children and families. Television weather presenter Willard Scott played Ronald in an early advertising appearance, helping establish the clown's public image.

Ronald became the central figure in McDonald's family-oriented marketing. Later campaigns expanded the fictional McDonaldland setting with characters such as the Hamburglar, Grimace and Mayor McCheese. These characters gave the brand a recurring world of stories, costumes and television commercials.

People sometimes confuse Ronald's debut with the much earlier Speedee mascot. Speedee was associated with the 1948 Speedee Service System, whereas Ronald emerged in the 1960s as McDonald's advertising became more character-driven.