Grimace was created in 1971 as a McDonald’s character associated with the Hamburglar.
Grimace originally appeared as a large, purple character with multiple arms whose role was connected to stealing or enjoying McDonald’s milkshakes. The character was later redesigned into the familiar friendly, single-bodied purple figure. That redesign changed Grimace from a mischievous product-related character into a more broadly appealing member of the McDonald’s cast.
The character is often confused with Birdie, who was introduced later as a breakfast-themed character, or with Mayor McCheese, an earlier citizen of McDonaldland. Grimace’s lasting identity became less about a specific food theft and more about friendship, playfulness, and the company’s family branding.
His appearance in advertising and merchandise helped McDonald’s build a recognizable fictional world around its restaurants.