Grimace is the large purple McDonald’s character first known as a milkshake thief.
McDonald’s introduced Grimace in 1971 as part of the McDonaldland advertising world. His early version had a more villainous role and multiple arms, which allowed the character to steal milkshakes. The company later changed him into the friendly, simple purple companion widely recognized today.
That redesign reflects a broader shift in McDonald’s branding during the 1970s, when the characters became more suitable for children and family advertising. Grimace was not originally defined by his modern cheerful personality.
People sometimes confuse Grimace with the Hamburglar because both began as mischievous characters. The key distinction is that Grimace’s original advertising role centered on milkshakes, while the Hamburglar targeted hamburgers.