Which McDonald’s mascot was introduced in 1963 as a red-haired clown?

Ronald McDonald was introduced in 1963 as McDonald’s red-haired clown mascot.

The character first appeared in a television commercial in the Washington, D.C., area. He was created to give McDonald’s a distinctive personality that would appeal especially to children and families. His costume incorporated restaurant imagery, including a tray-like hat and a striped outfit, linking the clown character directly to the brand.

Ronald’s introduction came after the earlier Speedee mascot and marked a shift toward the McDonaldland character universe. The character became the public face of McDonald’s family-oriented marketing for decades, appearing in commercials, restaurant events, merchandise, and charitable activities. People sometimes confuse Ronald’s debut with the later introduction of other McDonaldland figures, but Ronald predates characters such as the Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese. His 1963 debut established the clown as McDonald’s principal mascot during the brand’s major expansion.