Monday, December 03, 2007

WILLARD SCOTT: As Ronald


Willard began as Bozo the Clown before becoming the very first Ronald.

For more information, please click the title of this post.

4 comments:

  1. Pat,

    Can you clear this up for me? I've met Willard Scott and respect his work clowning and as a TV personality. However there is another story about the origins of the McDonald's clown going around involving Michael "Coco" Polakovs. I met Michael at a clown festival years ago (while I was still wearing the Big Red Shoes) and he told some convincing stories of appearing as the "Corporate Clown" in the beginning. I found this mentioned on another website:

    "In 1966, Coco was contracted by McDonalds Corporation to design Ronald McDonald. Coco designed the outfit and the makeup that is still worn by Ronald McDonald. Coco also appeared in Macy's parade as Ronald McDonald and did the first eight Ronald McDonald television commercials."

    So which came first Coco's "Ronald" or Willard's "Ronald"? I trust you or one of your readers can clear this paradox up for me.

    Thanks,
    Cap'n Mike - Seaside Showman
    Myrtle Beach, SC
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yarr...that'll replace the squid in me nightmares!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is one scary looking clown!

    Rick

    ReplyDelete
  4. From what I've read and waht I have seen willard scotts version must be an ealy version off ronald.
    the first one when mac donalds only had a few restaurants at the start.

    and with this strange make up and cup for a nose this seams a protype.

    after that coco designed ronald as we know him today: red hear and yellow suite.
    then mac donalds was already succesfull worldwide.
    I think it is like this because off the dates in the storry's.

    I guess because with the willard scott version not a single child would go into a macdo anymore.

    ReplyDelete