Who first played Ronald McDonald in McDonald’s television advertising?

Willard Scott first played Ronald McDonald in McDonald’s television advertising.

Scott portrayed Ronald in McDonald’s local Washington, D.C., television commercials in 1963. His version of the character was inspired partly by Bozo the Clown, a popular children’s television figure Scott had played. Ronald’s costume included a red-and-white striped outfit and food-related props, including a tray worn as a hat.

The character was developed to make McDonald’s especially appealing to children and families. After the initial advertisements, Ronald McDonald became a national advertising figure and the central member of a fictional McDonaldland cast.

Willard Scott is sometimes remembered mainly as a weather presenter, but his earlier entertainment work included the first televised portrayal of Ronald McDonald. The character’s later appearance and supporting characters changed over time, while the name and clown identity remained part of McDonald’s branding.