Who portrayed Ronald McDonald in McDonald's earliest television commercials?

Willard Scott portrayed Ronald McDonald in McDonald's earliest television commercials.

Scott played the character in the Washington, D.C., market during the early 1960s. He had already become familiar to local viewers as a television personality and weather presenter, which helped McDonald's introduce a distinctive mascot to children and families.

Ronald's first presentation was deliberately built from restaurant imagery: his costume included a paper-cup hat, a tray-like belt, and other fast-food visual references. The character was later redesigned and expanded into the larger McDonaldland advertising world, where he appeared with figures such as the Hamburglar and Grimace.

People sometimes confuse the first Ronald performer with the later actors who played the mascot nationally. The character's look, costume, and performers changed over time, but Scott is associated with Ronald McDonald's earliest television appearance.