Willard Scott portrayed the original Ronald McDonald in McDonald’s early television commercials.
Scott was a television personality and weather presenter who appeared as the clown character before Ronald became a nationally standardized mascot. His performance helped introduce the character to American viewers in the early 1960s.
The early version of Ronald was designed for advertising rather than as a single permanent actor’s role. Later performers played the character in commercials, public appearances, and promotional events, so Scott is specifically associated with Ronald’s origin rather than the entire history of the mascot.
A common mix-up is identifying Ray Kroc, McDonald’s most famous early corporate leader, as Ronald’s creator or performer. Kroc shaped the company’s expansion, but he did not portray the clown.