Grimace was introduced by McDonald's in 1971 as a purple, fuzzy character.
The character first appeared in McDonald's advertising as a less friendly figure associated with stealing milkshakes. McDonald's later changed Grimace into the cheerful, child-friendly companion recognized today. His exact species has never been clearly defined, which is why descriptions usually call him a purple creature rather than assigning him a precise animal identity.
Grimace became part of McDonaldland alongside Ronald McDonald, the Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese, and other characters. His large, simple shape and limited facial features made him easy to recognize in commercials, merchandise, restaurant displays, and promotional materials.
People sometimes confuse Grimace's original role with his later personality. The early character was connected to milkshake theft, while the familiar version is generally portrayed as a friendly friend of Ronald McDonald. That evolution reflects how McDonald's revised its advertising characters for a younger audience.