Which McDonald's mascot was first played by Willard Scott in a 1963 advertisement?

Ronald McDonald was first played by Willard Scott in a 1963 advertisement.

Scott portrayed the clown in early Washington, D.C.-area McDonald's commercials. The character was created to give the restaurant a memorable personality for children, and his name combined the company's name with the familiar clown figure used in the advertisements.

The first version of Ronald McDonald looked different from the later standardized character. His costume incorporated McDonald's products, including a tray-like hat and a paper-cup nose. The character was subsequently redesigned, and McDonald's expanded him into a central figure in its family-oriented marketing.

Willard Scott later became nationally known as a television weather presenter, which can cause confusion about his connection to the brand. He played the original advertising version of Ronald McDonald, but he was not the only performer ever associated with the character.