Willard Scott first portrayed Ronald McDonald in a 1963 Washington, D.C., commercial.
Scott, who later became widely known as a television weather presenter, played an early version of Ronald McDonald for local McDonald’s advertising. The character wore a costume assembled from restaurant packaging imagery, including a cup used as a hat and a tray-like object around the waist.
That early portrayal was not identical to the familiar Ronald McDonald who appeared later. McDonald’s refined the character’s costume and appearance as the company developed a national advertising identity aimed strongly at children. The modern image became more standardized through later performers, commercials, live appearances, and McDonaldland storytelling.
The fact is often confused with the date of McDonaldland’s creation. Ronald appeared in advertising before McDonaldland was introduced as a complete fantasy setting in 1971. Scott’s role concerns the first known portrayal, not the later character design used across the country.