Grimace was the McDonald's character represented as a giant purple creature in McDonaldland.
Grimace debuted in 1971 as part of the fictional McDonaldland cast. His early portrayal was different from the simple, friendly figure most people recognize today: he originally had multiple arms and was associated with stealing milkshakes. McDonald's later redesigned him as a large, purple, childlike companion.
Grimace is often confused with other McDonaldland characters. Mayor McCheese had a cheeseburger for a head, Birdie was a yellow bird, and Officer Big Mac was a law-enforcement-themed character. Those distinctive designs helped the company build a branded fantasy world around its restaurants.
The character's color and rounded silhouette made Grimace especially recognizable in print, television, toys, and restaurant displays.