Who first portrayed Ronald McDonald in McDonald’s advertising in 1963?

Willard Scott first portrayed Ronald McDonald in McDonald’s advertising in 1963.

Scott was already known in the Washington, D.C., area as a television weather presenter and children’s entertainer. He appeared as Ronald in an early local McDonald’s commercial, helping establish the character before Ronald became a nationally recognized symbol of the chain.

Ronald’s design and costume changed over time. The earliest version was more connected to McDonald’s food imagery, while later advertising gave him the familiar yellow jumpsuit, red hair, red-and-white striped clothing, and oversized shoes.

A common mix-up is assuming that Ronald McDonald was created by Ray Kroc, McDonald’s best-known early executive. Kroc helped build the company, but Scott was the first actor associated with portraying the mascot. Later performers played Ronald in different markets and campaigns.