Which McDonald's mascot debuted in 1963 and became the brand's most famous character?

Ronald McDonald debuted in 1963 and became McDonald's most famous character.

The character was created for McDonald's advertising and was first portrayed by Willard Scott, a television personality who had also played Bozo the Clown. Ronald's costume used restaurant-themed details, including a yellow jumpsuit, red-and-white striped clothing, and a tray-like shoe design.

Ronald soon became the central figure in McDonald's child-focused marketing. Later advertisements placed him in McDonaldland alongside characters such as the Hamburglar, Grimace, and Mayor McCheese. This expanded the brand from a restaurant sign into a recognizable fictional world.

A common mistake is to call Ronald McDonald the company's first mascot. That distinction belongs to Speedee, who represented the restaurant in the late 1940s. Ronald's importance was different: he became the public face of McDonald's for generations and helped establish the chain's family-oriented image.