Which McDonald's advertising character was first played by Willard Scott in 1963?

Ronald McDonald was first played by Willard Scott in a 1963 McDonald's television commercial.

Scott appeared as the clown character in early local advertising for the Washington, D.C., area. The character was designed to attract children and connect McDonald's with a playful, colorful world rather than presenting the restaurant only as a place to buy food.

Willard Scott is sometimes remembered mainly for his later career as a television weather presenter, but his earlier advertising role is a documented part of Ronald McDonald's history. The character's appearance changed after the first commercials, and later performers helped establish the look familiar to generations of customers.

Ronald became the central human-like figure in McDonaldland advertising and was used in commercials, events, and restaurant promotions. His creation followed the company's growing focus on family-oriented branding during the 1960s.