Grimace was introduced by McDonald’s in 1971 as a large purple character associated with an enthusiastic love of food and milkshakes. He became one of the most recognizable members of the McDonaldland advertising cast.
The character’s earliest version was more unusual and was linked to the idea of a milkshake thief with multiple arms. McDonald’s soon simplified Grimace’s design and personality, presenting him as a friendly, clumsy companion for Ronald McDonald and the other characters.
Grimace is sometimes confused with the Hamburglar because both belong to McDonaldland and appeared in the same advertisements. Their roles were different: the Hamburglar was a mischievous food thief, while Grimace became a cheerful, child-friendly character. The simplified purple design remained his defining visual feature.