Willard Scott played Ronald McDonald in McDonald’s first television commercials during the early 1960s.
Scott was a Washington, D.C., television and radio personality who portrayed the character in local commercials before Ronald became a nationally recognized mascot. His version wore a distinctive costume based partly on McDonald’s packaging and food-service items.
The early portrayal was deliberately theatrical and unusual, helping the character stand out in children’s advertising. McDonald’s later changed Ronald’s appearance, giving him the familiar red-and-yellow costume associated with the brand.
Scott is often remembered primarily for his later television career, especially his work on NBC’s Today. His earlier role as the first television Ronald McDonald is a separate part of his public career.