Which McDonald’s character became the chain’s primary mascot after Speedee?

Ronald McDonald became McDonald’s primary mascot after Speedee.

He first appeared in a 1963 television commercial in the Washington, D.C., area, played by local entertainer Willard Scott. The character wore a clown costume and was designed to connect McDonald’s with children and family entertainment.

Ronald eventually became the central figure in McDonaldland advertising, while Speedee receded from the company’s public-facing identity. Other characters, including Grimace and the Hamburglar, supported Ronald in later campaigns.

Ronald McDonald is sometimes described as the company’s original mascot, but that is historically inaccurate. Speedee served as an earlier mascot beginning in 1948; Ronald became the better-known successor during the 1960s.