Anyone of a certain age will likely remember the iconic Ronald McDonald clown from their childhood.
Whether it was a stop at McDonald’s before heading to the movies or enjoying a Happy Meal courtesy of mom and dad, the mascot was a familiar sight in McDonald’s locations throughout the United States.
Sporting a yellow boiler suit, a white face, and a red wig, Ronald McDonald has been a pop culture fixture ever since his introduction in the 1960s.
Honestly, just describing his appearance might make you think Ronald belongs in a horror movie.
It’s a bit unsettling to think that his role was to entertain children while they enjoyed their Happy Meals.
Ronald McDonald was quite polarizing back in the day; you either adored him or couldn’t stand him.
However, if you think about it, Ronald hasn’t appeared in any McDonald’s marketing materials for quite some time.
This absence is due to the fast-food giant’s decision to phase out the character in 2016, following a disturbing social media phenomenon.
Remember the viral trend from eight years ago when people started dressing up as creepy clowns?
Individuals often posted pictures of themselves in clown costumes on social media, and the trend took a very unsettling turn.
Eventually, it escalated to the point where people were showing up at schools across the United States dressed as clowns.
The situation spiraled out of control when a family in Florida was attacked by a group of 20 individuals wearing clown masks.
Due to this social media trend, clowns transformed from childhood entertainers to figures of fear.
As public perception of clowns shifted, McDonald’s decided to retire Ronald McDonald.
A statement from McDonald’s at the time read: “McDonald’s and franchises in the local markets are mindful of the current climate around clown sightings in communities and as such are being thoughtful in respect to Ronald McDonald’s participation in community events for the time being.”
Willard Scott, the original actor who portrayed Ronald McDonald, sadly passed away at age 87 in 2021.
In 1987, Scott shared his thoughts on playing the beloved character.
He told the New York Times: “I just love people. A lot of speakers on the talk circuit leave right afterward… I do a lot of shmoozing. I’m like a dog. You just open the door and I go, ‘rrrr, rrrr,’ and then I lick everybody’s face.”