Was Willard Scott the original Ronald McDonald clown?
Back in the 80’s I seem to recall Willard Scott claiming to be the creator of the clown face and persona of the Ronald McDonald clown. Somehow McDonald’s only wanted the clown, not Willard.
Does anyone know the truth to this?
The Turtle Moves
IIRC- and I may not- Willard Scott created the persona of Ronald McDonald and played him in commercials for McDonald’s chains in the D.C. metro area (the commercials- early '60’s vintage, IIRC- were only broadcast locally). The McDonald’s corporation liked the idea of Ronald McDonald as a mascot, but decided that Willard just wasn’t the guy to play him nationally.
JMCJ
“Y’know, I would invite y’all to go feltch a dead goat, but that would be abuse of a perfectly good dead goat and an insult to all those who engage in that practice for fun.” -weirddave, set to maximum flame
I read a history of Mcdonalds about 5 years ago and it included a picture of Willard as Ronald McDonald. He used a small paper cup for a nose and he had a fright wig on. He was not as cuddly (?) as the current Ronald.
Keith
“I’m tired of being an object of ridicule. I wanna be a figure of fear, respect, and SEX!”
-Radar O’Reilly
I don’t know much about being a clown, but I know each clown creates his own face when he/she becomes a clown. They are supposed to be unique and individual, sort of a clown’s trademark.
How did McDonald’s get his clown persona and not the creator? That doesn’t seem very fair.
The same way corporations keep patents developed by their employees. When you work for somebody, everything you do on their dime belongs to them, not you.
Wasn’t Max Baer Jr. of “Jethro” fame on the Beverly Hillbillies also one of the ur-Ronalds in the 60’s?