Ronald McDonald was the clown created for McDonald's child-focused advertising in 1963.
The character gave the company a friendly, recognizable personality who could appear in television commercials, public events, restaurant promotions, and later McDonaldland campaigns. His bright costume and clown identity were designed to attract children and make the restaurant experience feel imaginative and welcoming.
Willard Scott portrayed Ronald in the character's earliest television commercial, but Ronald McDonald became a continuing brand character through many later performers and advertising designs. His appearance was refined over time, including changes to clothing, makeup, and proportions.
Ronald is sometimes mixed up with the other McDonaldland figures. The Hamburglar was a mischievous burger thief, Mayor McCheese was a civic character, and Grimace was a large purple figure. Ronald's defining role is the clown mascot and central host of the advertising world.