Grimace is the purple, blob-like McDonald's character introduced in 1971.
Grimace began as a character associated with the McDonaldland advertising world. Early descriptions and designs differed from the friendly, simplified figure most audiences know today; the character was initially linked with stealing or consuming milkshakes before being redesigned as a good-natured companion.
His large purple body, rounded shape, and limited facial features made him visually distinct from Ronald McDonald, the Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese. The redesign helped shift Grimace from a mischievous product-related character into a more approachable friend for children and families.
Grimace is sometimes mistaken for the name of a food item or a generic nickname for the McDonaldland cast. It is specifically the character's name. The mascot's long history illustrates how McDonald's maintained recognition while changing character personalities and visual details across different advertising eras.