Which McDonald's advertising character made his debut in 1963 as the chain's clown mascot?

Ronald McDonald made his debut in 1963 as McDonald's clown advertising mascot.

The character was created for television advertising during a period when McDonald's was expanding its family appeal. Early commercials presented Ronald as a friendly figure associated with the restaurant and its growing fictional world, McDonaldland.

Willard Scott portrayed the earliest television version of Ronald McDonald. The character's appearance later became more standardized, with red hair, face paint, a yellow-and-red costume, and oversized shoes. Ronald eventually became one of the best-known symbols in fast-food advertising.

Ronald's 1963 debut is distinct from the earlier Speedee mascot, which represented McDonald's before the clown became the company's primary advertising star. It is also separate from the later introductions of McDonaldland characters such as Grimace and the Hamburglar.