Willard Scott portrayed Ronald McDonald in the first Ronald McDonald television commercials.
Scott was a television personality and weather presenter who played the character in early advertisements. The commercials helped establish Ronald as a recognizable McDonald's figure aimed especially at children. His costume included a red-and-yellow clown design and visual elements associated with McDonald's food and branding.
Ronald's early appearance was not identical to the version used in later national campaigns. The character's costume and presentation changed as McDonald's refined its advertising style and developed the wider McDonaldland universe.
Willard Scott is sometimes remembered only for his later television career, which can obscure his connection with the character. His role was specifically an early on-screen portrayal of Ronald McDonald, not the creation of the Golden Arches or the invention of the Big Mac.