Which McDonald's character debuted in 1971 as a masked thief?

The Hamburglar debuted in 1971 as a masked thief in McDonald's advertising.

He was created as one of the characters inhabiting McDonaldland, the fictional setting used in McDonald's children's marketing. His central gag was an exaggerated desire to steal hamburgers, especially from the brand's other characters.

The Hamburglar's appearance changed over time. Early versions looked more like a small, sinister burglar, while later campaigns presented a shorter, younger-looking character with a black cape, striped clothing, and a more playful personality. The redesign made him more suitable for the family audience McDonald's wanted to reach.

The Hamburglar is often confused with Captain Crook, another McDonaldland villain associated with Filet-O-Fish sandwiches. Grimace was also introduced around the same advertising era, but he was purple and originally linked to milkshakes rather than hamburgers. These distinct character traits helped McDonald's maintain a large branded cast.