Grimace debuted in 1971 as a large purple McDonaldland character.
The character's early advertising role was different from the friendly figure most people remember. Grimace was originally presented with multiple arms and was associated with stealing milkshakes. McDonald's later redesigned him as a large, simple, purple creature with two arms and a cheerful personality.
That redesign made Grimace easier for children to recognize and turned him into one of Ronald McDonald's principal companions. His name was intentionally broad rather than descriptive of a specific animal, allowing the character to remain a fantasy figure rather than a conventional mascot.
Grimace is sometimes mistaken for a newer internet-era creation because his popularity periodically resurges through memes and promotional campaigns. In reality, the character belongs to the early 1970s McDonaldland advertising era. His long history illustrates how McDonald's repeatedly revised its mascots while retaining their basic colors and names.