Which advertising character became McDonald's primary mascot in the 1960s?

Ronald McDonald became McDonald's primary advertising mascot in the 1960s.

The character first appeared in a 1963 television commercial for the Washington, D.C., market. Willard Scott played the original Ronald McDonald, whose costume included a red-and-yellow design and a tray-shaped hat. McDonald's later developed the character into a nationwide promotional figure.

Ronald helped shift the brand's public image from a speed-focused hamburger operation toward a family-oriented restaurant. He was eventually joined by characters including Grimace, the Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese in McDonaldland advertising.

Ronald is sometimes confused with the Hamburglar because both were prominent McDonaldland figures. The Hamburglar was a supporting character, while Ronald McDonald served as the chain's principal mascot for decades.