Whether you find him charming or creepy, there's no doubt you're familiar with Ronald McDonald.
Having made his first appearance in the '60s, this world-famous clown has seen his ups and
downs over the years, from being one of the most recognizable faces in America, to enduring
a health-conscious backlash, and overhaul of his brand.
Though we've all grown up with Ronald over the years, there's probably a lot you don't
know about this fast food mascot.
Here's the untold truth of the man with the big red shoes.
A clown is born
Think the current Ronald McDonald is creepy?
The first version of the burger-loving clown, originated by famed weatherman, Willard Scott,
has him beat.
Scott was appearing as TV's Bozo the Clown, when he was asked to help out at a local McDonald's.
Scott claims that when Bozo went off the air, McDonald's asked him to create their new character.
And Ronald McDonald was born.
"Isn't that McDonald's hamburger delicious?"
"Mom told me never to talk to strangers."
It is widely-accepted that the owner of the franchise where Scott performed, Oscar Goldstein,
officially created the character.
And although Scott's version of Ronald McDonald was nothing like the red-haired clown we know
today, you can't unsee Ronald number one.
It's not easy being this guy
Actors who played this famous clown had to abide by a strict set of rules to keep the
character up to corporate standards.
Fact Fiend reported that actor Geoffrey Giuliano, who donned the red wig in the '70s, hated
telling children that burgers came from a magic hamburger patch, instead of from cows.
"Do you believe in magic...and I hope you do...You'll always have a friend wearing big
red shoes!"
Back in 2003, McDonald's reportedly employed 250 Ronalds world-wide, with some enjoying
the services of chauffeurs, personal chefs, and even bodyguards.
But it was famed comedian and magician, Aye Jaye, who helped develop the handbooks that
would guide all working Ronalds.
Dubbed the "Boss Clown," Aye Jaye laid out instructions for everything "Ronald", right
down to his makeup.
But in the world of fast food, there can only be one clown.
Mascot rules
McDonald's HQ is notoriously tight-lipped about the actors who play Ronald McDonald.
And the reason is because, according to McDonald's, there are no actors involved at all: Ronald
McDonald is just one, real clown.
"This is your very own clown, Ronald McDonald.
Hoping I'll see you next time, live and in person at McDonalds."
According to the Wall Street Journal, when asked how Ronald was able to appear at so
many events around the world in one day, McDonald's released a statement, from Ronald himself,
saying:
"If I told you all my secrets, they wouldn't be secrets anymore.
Let's just say that between you, me and Santa, it's magic."
According to the paper, the company preserves the illusion by making sure that no two Ronalds
ever appear together.
The McDonaldland McExit
If you were growing up any time between the '70s and the early 2000s, you know Ronald
McDonald had a wacky gang of pals in McDonaldland.
"I'm thinking of running away to McDonaldland.
McDonaldland?
That's where I'm from.
Yeah, I hear it's really nice."
That hamburger dream world, sadly, closed its magical doors in 2003, when McDonald's
switched gears to the "I'm Lovin' It" campaign.
But the cash cow called McDonaldland came very close to not happening at all.
The whole concept seemed destined to fail when it was deemed that McDonald's had infringed
on the likenesses of Sid and Marty Krofft's H.R. Pufnstuf.
McDonald's ad execs didn't deny that they had indeed consulted with the Kroffts to create
McDonaldland, but claimed to have canceled the project.
McDonald's then went on to hire former employees of the Kroffts, as well as their star voice
actor.
After a couple of court cases, and a sizeable payout to the Kroffts, McDonald's carried
on with the branding of Ronald's psychedelic, hamburger-filled universe.
"Don't be surprised if you meet Big Mac and Big Cheese"
But these days, the clock might be ticking on this jolly entertainer.
Not clowning around
McDonald's is certainly no stranger to backlash over the lacking nutrition of its menu.
"I'm gonna need some energy.
And we know there's no better way than with a delicious McDonald's pure beef hamburger,
and a triple-thick McDonald's shake"
Ronald McDonald's star had already begun to tarnish by 2010, when a Corporate Accountability
International poll found that almost half of all Americans felt it was time for the
burger-lovin' clown to hang up his red shoes for good.
Deborah Lapidus, a spokesperson for the group, said,
"This clown is no friend to our children or their health.
He is a deep-fried Joe Camel for the 21st century."
The organization's website leads to a 32-page eBook called Clowning with Kids' Health, detailing
how Ronald is complicit in the obesity epidemic.
Could this spell the beginning of the end for the last remaining inhabitant of McDonaldland?
While he may not have his own presence on Twitter and Facebook, Ronald does have an
Instagram account, highlighting his charitable and fitness-focused activities around the
globe.
"A salad at McDonald's, what could top that?
Uh, salad dressing"
Who knows.
This clown just might have something new up his sleeve.