Which McDonald’s character was introduced as the company’s first major mascot in 1963?

Ronald McDonald was introduced as McDonald’s first major mascot in 1963.

The character was created for advertising aimed at children and was presented as a clown associated with McDonald’s restaurants. His debut helped give the company a human-like, instantly recognizable figure who could appear in television commercials and promotional events.

Ronald became the central figure in McDonald’s children’s marketing, later appearing alongside the characters of McDonaldland. His costume and appearance changed over time, but the clown identity remained consistent.

Ronald is sometimes confused with Speedee, an earlier symbol of the company’s speed-service concept, or with later McDonaldland characters. Speedee predates Ronald, but Ronald became McDonald’s best-known mascot during the 1960s.