Grimace was introduced by McDonald's in 1971 as a purple, fuzzy character associated with Ronald McDonald.
The character became part of the expanding McDonaldland cast, which McDonald's used to give its advertising a shared setting and recurring personalities. Grimace's large, simple design made him visually distinct from the more human-shaped characters in the campaign.
Early versions of Grimace were different from the friendly character most people recognize today. The original advertising presentation portrayed him with multiple arms and a more product-related role. McDonald's later simplified and softened the design, making Grimace a cheerful companion.
Because the character's appearance changed over time, descriptions of his debut can differ depending on which version is being discussed. The 1971 introduction refers to the character's first appearance, not necessarily the final design used in later commercials.