Grimace, the purple McDonald’s mascot, debuted in 1971.
The character was originally presented differently from the friendly, simplified figure familiar from later advertising. Early Grimace advertisements emphasized his unusual appearance, while later campaigns developed him into a cheerful companion of Ronald McDonald and the other McDonaldland characters.
Grimace’s rounded purple body and minimal facial features made him easy to recognize in signs, commercials, merchandise, and restaurant promotions. His design was gradually softened to make the character more approachable for children.
Grimace is often confused with the Hamburglar because both belonged to the McDonaldland advertising cast. They served different roles: Grimace was a large, friendly character, while the Hamburglar was a mischievous food-stealing figure.