Who portrayed the first televised Ronald McDonald in McDonald's advertising?

Willard Scott portrayed the first televised Ronald McDonald in McDonald's advertising.

Scott was a television personality and performer with experience playing clown characters. McDonald's used him as the original on-screen version of Ronald McDonald during the character's early television advertising in 1963.

The first Ronald wore a costume that incorporated McDonald's products, including a tray-like hat and a cup-shaped prop. The character was intended to be immediately memorable to children and to give the restaurant a friendly personality beyond its food and signage.

Later performers portrayed Ronald as the character became more established nationally and internationally. This sometimes causes confusion about who originated the role. Willard Scott is specifically associated with the first televised portrayal, while later Ronald performers were part of the character's continuing advertising history.