Trivia

"Won" the 1989 Razzie Award for Worst New Star (playing himself) in the film Mac and Me (1988). Beating out Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport (1988), Don (The Talking Horse) in Hot to Trot (1988), Tami Erin in The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988) and Draco Rosa in Salsa (1988).

His very first public appearance was in 1963 at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Willard Scott created Ronald McDonald and was the first person to play him, appearing in local commercials for Washington, D.C. area McDonald's. Scott based Ronald on Bozo the Clown, whom he played on Washington's local "Bozo the Clown Show."

Clown spokesman for McDonald's restaurants.

Known in Japan as "Donald McDonald" for easier Japanese pronunciation.

Statues of Ronald are frequent targets of thieves and pranksters.

Promoted by McDonald's to the position of Chief Happiness Officer. [28 August 2003]

In Thailand, the Ronald McDonald statues greet people in the traditional Thai "wai" greeting gesture involving both hands pressed together.

As of 2014, nine actors have portrayed him since 1963. They are as listed: Willard Scott (1963-1965), Bev Bergeron (1966-1968), George Voorhis (1968-1970), Bob Brandon (1970-1975), King Moody (1969-1984), Squire Fridell (1984-1991), Jack Doepke (1990-1999)), David Hussey (2000-2014), & Brad Lennon (2014-present).