Which McDonald's advertising character debuted in 1963 as the chain's famous clown?

Ronald McDonald debuted in 1963 as McDonald's famous clown advertising character.

The character first appeared in a television commercial created for the Washington, D.C., market. Willard Scott played the original Ronald, wearing a costume assembled from McDonald's products, including a cup-shaped hat and a tray-like belt.

Ronald was designed to appeal especially to children and helped McDonald's build a family-oriented identity during a period when television advertising was becoming increasingly influential. Later performers and redesigns gave the character a more standardized appearance.

Ronald McDonald was not the chain's first mascot. Speedee represented McDonald's from 1948, and the Golden Arches were already developing as a major symbol. Ronald's importance came from making the brand's advertising more character-driven and child-focused.