The original name of the McDonald’s character later known simply as Grimace was Evil Grimace.
Grimace debuted in 1971 as a large purple character with four arms. In his original role, Evil Grimace was portrayed as a mischievous figure who stole milkshakes. The character was later redesigned and given a friendlier personality, becoming the cheerful, child-oriented Grimace widely recognized in McDonald’s advertising.
The redesign changed both the character’s appearance and his function in the brand’s fictional world. Instead of being a threat to customers’ drinks, Grimace became a companion to Ronald McDonald and other McDonaldland characters.
Many people remember only the simplified modern version and therefore assume Grimace was always friendly and had two arms. Early advertising materials show a different concept. The name “Evil Grimace” refers to the original character identity, not a separate long-term mascot that remained alongside the later Grimace.