Ronald McDonald first appeared in 1963 as a character portrayed by weather presenter Willard Scott.
Scott played Ronald in early McDonald’s television advertising in the Washington, D.C., area. The character was designed as a clown who could create a memorable personality for the restaurant and appeal directly to children.
Ronald quickly became more important to McDonald’s branding than Speedee, the company’s earlier mascot. He later became the central figure in McDonaldland, where he appeared with characters including the Hamburglar, Grimace, and Mayor McCheese.
The early Ronald differed from the familiar later version. His first costume incorporated food packaging, including a cup and tray, before the character’s appearance was standardized. That evolution is why early images can look quite different from the modern mascot.