Ronald McDonald is a clown character used as the primary mascot of the McDonald's fast-food restaurant chain. He inhabits the fictional world of McDonaldland, with his friends Mayor McCheese, the Hamburglar, Grimace, Birdie the Early Bird, and The Fry Kids.[1]
Many people work full-time making appearances as Ronald, visiting children in hospitals and attending regular events. At the character's height, there may have been as many as 300 full-time Ronald McDonalds at McDonald's restaurants.[2] There are also Ronald McDonald Houses, where parents can stay overnight with their sick children in nearby chronic care facilities.
History
Washington, DC
"Ronald McDonald, the Hamburger-Happy Clown" debuted in 1963 in three separate local television advertisements.