Who played Ronald McDonald in his first television advertisements?

Willard Scott played Ronald McDonald in his first television advertisements.

Scott portrayed the character in early McDonald's commercials in the Washington, D.C., market. He was already a television personality and weatherman, which helped make the first version of Ronald recognizable to local viewers.

This early portrayal is sometimes overlooked because Ronald McDonald later became associated with many performers and with a highly standardized costume. The national character evolved after the initial commercials, so later images do not necessarily match Scott's first version.

Ronald's launch marked a major shift in McDonald's branding. Instead of communicating only speed, price, or menu items, the company used a recurring personality to build familiarity with children and families. The character eventually became the central figure in the broader McDonaldland advertising universe.