Who portrayed Ronald McDonald in McDonald’s first television commercial in 1963?

Willard Scott portrayed Ronald McDonald in McDonald’s first television commercial in 1963.

Scott was a television personality and weatherman who created an early version of the character for a Washington, D.C.-area McDonald’s advertising campaign. The character wore a costume built around familiar restaurant imagery, including a food container used as part of the outfit.

Ronald McDonald’s appearance changed substantially after this first commercial. Later designers and performers developed the bright red-haired clown image that became standard in McDonald’s advertising. The character then became the central figure in campaigns aimed particularly at children and families.

People sometimes assume the original Ronald was created by McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc or by a famous clown performer, but the first television portrayal was Scott’s. His involvement belongs to the early national expansion of McDonald’s branding.