Grimace was redesigned as a purple creature in 1972 after first appearing as a villain.
The earliest version of Grimace was a more menacing character associated with stealing milkshakes. McDonald’s then simplified and softened the design, turning Grimace into the large, purple, friendly figure recognized in later advertising.
This redesign changed both the character’s appearance and his role. Instead of functioning mainly as an antagonist, Grimace became one of Ronald McDonald’s friends and a family-friendly participant in McDonaldland stories.
Grimace’s original purpose is often confused with his later personality. The familiar purple character was not the first version audiences saw. The 1972 redesign is important because it established the shape, color, and friendly presentation that defined Grimace for subsequent decades.