Ronald McDonald was McDonald's clown character introduced in advertising before the McDonaldland era.
McDonald's began using Ronald McDonald in television advertising in 1963. His clown identity gave the company a highly visible personality who could speak directly to children and help make restaurants feel like family destinations.
The character later became part of McDonaldland, the fictional setting introduced in 1971. That connection sometimes makes it seem as though Ronald and McDonaldland began at the same time, but Ronald predates the larger cast of characters.
Ronald's costume and appearance were refined over the years, and many performers portrayed him. The character's name is not “McDonaldland Clown”; Ronald McDonald is the canonical name used in McDonald's branding and in the character's public appearances.