Who first played Ronald McDonald in a McDonald’s television advertisement?

Willard Scott first played Ronald McDonald in a McDonald’s television advertisement.

Scott portrayed the character in 1963 commercials for the Washington, D.C., area. At the time, Ronald was presented as a whimsical restaurant character who could appear in advertising aimed at children and families.

The early version of Ronald McDonald looked different from the later, standardized character. Scott’s costume included a food tray worn as a hat and a drink cup used as part of the costume, giving the character a more improvised appearance than the modern design.

Ronald McDonald later became the central figure in the McDonaldland advertising universe, alongside characters such as the Hamburglar and Grimace. Although Scott is widely identified with the first television portrayal, later performers shaped the character’s familiar look and voice for national campaigns.