Which McDonald’s mascot was introduced in 1963 as a clown played by Willard Scott?

Ronald McDonald was introduced in 1963 as a clown played by Willard Scott.

Scott portrayed the first widely known television version of Ronald McDonald in Washington, D.C.-area advertising. The character was designed to make McDonald’s more appealing to children and to give the restaurant a memorable personality beyond its food and architecture.

Ronald’s appearance changed over time, including differences in costume, makeup, and props. The later version became a central figure in McDonald’s family marketing and was joined by characters from the McDonaldland advertising universe.

Willard Scott later became nationally famous as a television weather personality, but his earlier connection with McDonald’s came from portraying Ronald. The character should not be confused with the Hamburglar or other later McDonaldland figures.