McDonald’s introduced Ronald McDonald in 1963 as the original face of its national children’s marketing.
The character first appeared in a television commercial for the Washington, D.C., area, portrayed by local television personality Willard Scott. Ronald was designed as a clown spokesman who could connect McDonald’s restaurants with children and family entertainment.
His costume originally included a paper cup on his head, a tray around his waist, and other food-themed elements. The character’s appearance was later standardized, and Ronald became the central figure in McDonaldland advertising alongside other fictional characters.
Ronald McDonald is sometimes confused with the later McDonaldland characters, such as Mayor McCheese or the Hamburglar. Those figures belonged to the same advertising world, but Ronald was the principal mascot and public face of the campaign. His 1963 debut predates the introduction of several better-known supporting characters.