Willard Scott portrayed Ronald McDonald in the first televised McDonald's commercial featuring the character.
Scott played Ronald in a 1963 television commercial for McDonald's. At that time, Ronald was being developed as a distinctive advertising personality intended to appeal directly to children and families.
The early version of Ronald McDonald did not look exactly like the later standardized character. Scott's portrayal used elements associated with McDonald's products, including a paper cup worn as a hat and a tray-like costume. The character's appearance was subsequently refined as the advertising program expanded.
Willard Scott later became widely known as a television weather presenter, but his earlier work for McDonald's is a separate part of his career. The first commercial also predates the later group of McDonaldland characters that included the Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese.