Ronald McDonald first appeared in a 1963 television commercial alongside Willard Scott.
Scott, who had played a clown character on television, portrayed the early Ronald McDonald. The character was designed as a friendly clown who could make McDonald's especially appealing to children and families.
Ronald later became the central figure in a broader fictional McDonaldland cast. Characters such as the Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese helped turn advertising into a recurring branded world rather than a series of isolated commercials.
The character's appearance changed over time. Early versions did not look exactly like the later, standardized Ronald, which is why historical images and accounts may show noticeable differences in costume and styling.