Who performed the original 1963 television version of Ronald McDonald?

Willard Scott performed the original 1963 television version of Ronald McDonald.

Before becoming nationally familiar as a weather presenter, Scott worked in Washington, D.C., television. He appeared as Ronald in an early McDonald's commercial for the local market, using a costume and character concept created for the restaurant's advertising.

The first version of Ronald looked different from the later standardized clown. Scott's costume incorporated a food tray as a hat and other McDonald's visual elements. The character was subsequently redesigned and developed into the central figure of McDonaldland.

Ray Kroc founded the McDonald's Corporation but did not perform as Ronald. John Goodman voiced Ronald in later animated material, and Jack Nicholson has no role as the character's original television performer. These associations can cause confusion because Ronald's advertising history involved many later actors and voice performers.