Which clown character became McDonald’s best-known mascot after his introduction in 1963?

Ronald McDonald became McDonald’s best-known mascot after his introduction in 1963.

The character was created for television advertising and was designed as a cheerful clown associated with McDonald’s restaurants. Willard Scott, then a television personality, was the first person to portray Ronald McDonald in a commercial. The character’s bright costume and distinctive makeup made him easy for children to recognize.

Ronald’s arrival marked a major shift in McDonald’s branding. Earlier imagery, including Speedee, focused on fast service and the restaurant’s operating system. Ronald instead helped build a larger fantasy world around the brand, eventually joined by characters such as the Hamburglar, Grimace, and Mayor McCheese.

The character has been portrayed by many performers over time, so the first performer and the mascot itself are different answers. Ronald McDonald is the character’s name, while Willard Scott identifies the first actor associated with the role in McDonald’s advertising.