Grimace was McDonald's purple mascot introduced in the early 1970s.
The character became one of the best-known members of McDonaldland and was usually portrayed as a large, friendly, simple-minded companion to Ronald McDonald. His rounded purple appearance made him visually distinct from the chain's clown, bird, and burger-themed characters.
Grimace's early advertising identity was different from the gentler character most audiences recognize today. He was initially associated with a more mischievous concept involving multiple arms and the theft of milkshakes. McDonald's later changed his design and personality, making him a friendly, child-oriented figure.
That redesign explains why historical images and descriptions of Grimace can seem inconsistent. He is often confused with a generic purple mascot, but “Grimace” is the specific name of McDonald's character. He was not the company's original mascot; Speedee came earlier.