Talk:Ronald McDonald

David Hussey / Joe Maggard

Actor David Hussey was the real actor that portrayed Ronald, he played him from 2000 to 2014. He's the one that portrayed Ronald all these years, not Joe. Joe actually lied about portraying him from 1995 to 2007, it's true. The McDonald's wiki itself even says that he lied about portraying him. David Hussey also played Ronald in The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald not Joe as well. There faces both look very similar with the makeup on, but it was really David Hussey. Joe just stole all the credit about it and lied. Also, Jack Doepke actually portrayed Ronald from 1991 to 1999, not 1995. Were he also played Ronald in the first three episodes of The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald and David played Ronald in the last three episodes of the series. So David Hussey is the real person that portrayed Ronald from 2000 to 2014, and then Brad Lennon took over in 2014 to present, not 2007. 2600:1000:B018:1E5A:D963:AB84:1DCC:5AF4 (talk) 18:49, 5 November 2016 (UTC)

Here is the list of actors that portrayed him. http://mcdonalds.wikia.com/wiki/Actors_who_have_played_Ronald_McDonald 2600:1000:B018:1E5A:D865:42F0:A2:D426 (talk) 18:54, 5 November 2016 (UTC)

Wikia isn't an reilable source and there will be consensus against it if a RFC was opened. KGirlTrucker81 ^{huh? what I'm been doing} 22:21, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

Nope, not a WP:RS ... richi (hello) 23:10, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

Yes it is an unreliable source. Addicted4517 (talk) 05:11, 24 November 2016 (UTC)

But you guy's are still wrong, David did "TOO" play the role of Ronald McDonald from 2000 to 2014. Joe lied about portraying Ronald from 1995 to 2007 he stole all the credit and lied about it. David was the real person that played Ronald from 2000 to 2014. and Jack played Ronald from 1991 to 1999, not 1995. User:BigWalt71 the admin from McDonald's wiki even confirmed it when he met Rich Seidelman, the former sketch artist and writer for McDonaldland commercials and he himself even confirmed that it wasn't Joe. BigWalt also said you will find the answer here https://www.facebook.com/FilmingInMcDonaldland and it well confirm the real answers. 174.192.17.245 (talk) 23:34, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

Unless you can offer a WP:RS to support it, any edits to the articles that claim Hussey played the character are ipso facto vandalism ... richi (hello) 23:38, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

Perhaps Wikia isn't a reliable source, but what source is there that Joe Maggard ever portrayed Ronald McDonald other than Maggard himself? Neb-Maat-Re (talk) 00:43, 23 July 2017 (UTC)

can maggard please be removed, there is NO source stating he portrayed ronald. NOT ONE. Maggard makes the claim but has no proof while there is VIDEO proof that he DID NOT during the dates he gives as other actors are obvious and Maggard is NEVER seen nor heard portraying the character, ever. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 104.255.7.111 (talk) 17:09, 23 July 2017 (UTC)

Just to clear things up with all this Maggard information, here's an article from 2003. It states from McDonald's themselves that Joe isn't Ronald: http://www.baltimoresun.com/bal-ronald060203-story.html. 2600:1000:B073:AF01:4C32:D4DE:6A94:BD3C (talk) 20:23, 17 August 2018 (UTC)

Geoffrey Giuliano

Why is there no mention of actor Geoffrey Giuliano who later became an animal right's activist? [1]

Topher67 (talk) 19:29, 9 September 2018 (UTC)

King Moody issue

They are right, it's best to bring the issue here to the talk page instead of changing it back and fourth, I apologize for all these edit reverts. Anyways, I was the one that changed the info to 1975, by mistake in the past edits. I was only trying to fix it back the way it was before. Even user:CyberJudoon stated that it was 1969 to 1985 that King Moody portrayed the character, saying it here:https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ronald_McDonald&diff=959636300&oldid=958022106. Because originally, the source I found before according here: it turned out that it wasn't reliable enough to be a source, it was just past edits in what use to be on the article before. So I wasn't trying to cause harm, it was only trying to correct it back to the way it was before. Because I changed it to 1975 by mistake. 2600:1000:B009:C440:FD6E:2CD7:B03F:7FA4 (talk) 19:47, 9 July 2020 (UTC)

References

It seems McDonalds doesn't even like to admit Ronald McDonald is played by a human actor. I decided to look into it a bit, and found several contradictory sources on the Internet. One, https://www.aol.com/2011/03/30/working-stiff-being-ronald-mcdonald/, mentions one (Aye Jaye) that isn't included in this WP article:

But then in 1965 Aye Jaye was anointed Boss Clown, in charge of hiring and messaging and the standardization of the character. He actually "wrote the book" for rules of conduct that all Ronalds had to follow – and still do, for all I know. There were more than 300 hired Ronalds at the time in the United States. One of his jobs was to travel across the nation and the world training Ronalds and holding seminars. Also, whenever a Ronald got into a tight spot, he was dispatched to calm turbulent seas.

The IMDb page for "Ronald McDonald" (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0567982/bio) contains the following (and, yes, I realize IMDb isn't a reliable source):

As of 2014, nine actors have portrayed him since 1963. They are as listed: Willard Scott (1963-1965), Bev Bergeron (1966-1968), George Voorhis (1968-1970), Bob Brandon (1970-1975), King Moody (1975-1984), Squire Fridell (1984-1991), Jack Doepke (1990-1999)), David Hussey (2000-2014), & Brad Lennon (2014-present).

Tellingly, it's mentioned in a few places that there is only one main Ronald McDonald actor at a time, and the actors in the current WP article (minus the ones listed as "Southern California" folks) all fit into that sequence nicely if King starts in 1975. If he starts in 1969, there is overlap, which breaks the timeline.

This particular subject is a little confusing and we may all have to admit that we're not going to get a complete picture of the character's history without a lot of research (that would, itself, be [WP:OR], and not allowable here). — UncleBubba ^{( T @ C )} 20:43, 9 July 2020 (UTC)

OK, in between phone calls today, I had a chance to research this a little, and what I said above pretty much holds true: we aren't going to find a preponderance of sources to justify either one, so I'm putting both the dates into the article—in both places. That should address the issue and eliminate the need for argument. — UncleBubba ^{( T @ C )} 22:59, 9 July 2020 (UTC)

Done. — UncleBubba ^{( T @ C )} 23:11, 9 July 2020 (UTC)

Terry Teene (Rockabilly Hall of Fame and professional clown) 'Clownzo the Clown' and another professional clown, George Vorhees (Vorhis is incorrect) invented, from scratch, the character; costume; and name of Ronald MacDonald, Willard Scott's claim is erroneous. Terry and George both performed on separate days at one of the original Kroc's restaurants. At least one of their appearances was chronicled in the Valley News and Green Sheet in the San Fernando Valley User:Pedant (talk) 19:21, 22 November 2023 (UTC)

Even though I know that YouTube doesn't count as a source, but here are some old clips of the 1969 McDonald's commercials: https://youtube/AgU4h2TyxdA, https://youtube/QC3sEhzJacg, https://youtube/yMxIRkusKsU, https://youtube/AOnAr9ZyK-Q. The description in the videos themseles even states that King Moody was in those commercials. 2600:1000:B044:A988:B999:8D5F:3EEC:C6E0 (talk) 01:16, 10 July 2020 (UTC)

Regarding the YouTube vids of old commercials, that's not usable here, but not because they are from YouTube. Using them would constitute original research, and that's not what we do here. (Click the link for more info.) Cheers! — UncleBubba ^{( T @ C )} 12:42, 10 July 2020 (UTC)

RFPP request

I initially protected the page due to this content dispute, but I see that you're now discussing it, and there is unlikely to be much further disruption. I'll remove the protection, but please don't resume edit warring. I encourage everyone to reach a consensus above. –Darkwind (talk) 21:58, 9 July 2020 (UTC)

Removed 'globalize' tag

Am I missing something? Why was this still here?

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Viv Weekes?

Anyone know if Viv Weekes is a legitimate portrayer? The only reference of them being an actor in general is an IMDb entry, and the only thing that lists them as an actor for Ronald McDonald is an old talk-page edit from 2009. There are sites who list him as an actor, but they're clearly just copying this article. Anyone know what to do?--Amelia-the-comic-geek (talk) 01:36, 4 February 2021 (UTC)

If it's unsourced, remove it. You could wait a little while to see if anyone posts any relevant info here. I'm usually pretty quick to pull source-less information from BLPs, which, admittedly, this is not, even though it does discuss some living people. Cheers! — UncleBubba ^{( T @ C )} 02:07, 4 February 2021 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 4 March 2021

Brad Lennon did not stop portraying Ronald in 2015. In the “Actors” section in the article below here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_McDonald#Actors, someone mistakenly changed it from “Brad Lennon (2014–present)” to “Brad Lennon (2014–2015)”. Is there anyway if someone can change fix this back to the way it was, because there isn’t a source that states he stopped portraying him in 2015. 73.61.16.189 (talk) 21:40, 4 March 2021 (UTC)–

 Done. ◢  Ganbaruby!  (Say hi!) 08:41, 5 March 2021 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion:

• Ronald65.jpg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 17:17, 31 March 2021 (UTC)

Sourcing

The section reading as follows has no citations, despite the implication that it comes from McDonald's. The same wording can be found on other wikis and online sources, but may well come from Wikipedia rather than an original source:

"The smile known around the world," Ronald McDonald is second only to Santa Claus in terms of recognition. (According to one survey, 96% of all schoolchildren in the United States of America recognize Ronald (stunning-stuff.com)). In his first television appearance in 1963, the clown was portrayed by Willard Scott. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Qlangley (talk • contribs) 20:31, 25 June 2021 (UTC)

Not from MacDonald's -- because Terry Teene and George Voorhees created the character; costume; and name of Ronald MacDonald -- but were not paid for the IP and were subsequently enjoined from portraying Ronald, probably because MacDonalds straight stole the character from its creators they don't want to say who created it. The never said Willard Scott created him either, and in Scott's first commercial a kid says "you really ARE Ronald MacDonald!". The character existed before the tv ads. User:Pedant (talk) 19:29, 22 November 2023 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 5 September 2021

There should be some mention of this 2003 press release: http://mcdonalds.mediaroom.com/2003-08-28-McDonalds-Corporation-Names-Ronald-McDonald-Chief-Happiness-Officer (The title is used in branding around the world and in an official LinkedIn profile as well). 96.250.80.27 (talk) 05:20, 5 September 2021 (UTC)

 Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format and provide a reliable source if appropriate. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 21:00, 5 September 2021 (UTC)

The change I recommend is that mention be made of the company's announcement that the character was named "Chief Happiness Officer" in 2003 as stated in the official sources I linked and referred to. 96.250.80.27 (talk) 07:25, 7 September 2021 (UTC)

 Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format and provide a reliable source if appropriate. You need to provide the exact prose. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 12:26, 23 October 2021 (UTC)

Clarity on response to semi-protected edit requests

Are these responses made by a bot that is triggered by certain language? 71.105.190.154 (talk) 20:18, 14 November 2022 (UTC)

Regarding Reference 7.

Reference 7 contains no citation or source of information provided. Turtleshell3 (talk) 23:30, 10 October 2021 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 30 December 2021

Removal of vandalism in "Criticism and 2016 appearances section". Removal of unnecessary link to the page for Osama Bin Laden at the end of the first paragraph in this section. 151.196.245.56 (talk) 17:21, 30 December 2021 (UTC)

 Done Thanks for pointing this out. Extraordinary Writ (talk) 21:28, 30 December 2021 (UTC)

Ronald McDonald invented

Terry Teene and George Voorhees were the originators and inventors of The Name, Costume, and Character of Ronald McDonald. The first appearance of Ronald was not the tv commercials in which Willard Scott performed, as he claims in the Sunshine Boys, but personal appearances at two of Kroc's southern California restaurants. There was an image of George or Terry as Ronald in the Valley News and Green Sheet. McDonald's was soon after granted an injunction enjoining Terry and George from portraying the character which they invented. They were never compensated. Terry died in a bicycle accident in Texas. I have personally seen the costume and a news article from the Green Sheet. It was in the green section. I have tried to find anything else that supports this but I can't. I personally assure you that to my own certain knowledge, Terry and George invented Ronald McDonald. I don't know if Willard Scott even knows. User:Pedant (talk) 04:08, 12 November 2022 (UTC)

Evolution of the character

I think a section on the evolution of the character in ads would be nice. For instance my memory is that when I first saw Ronald on TV, he was a pantomime character and did not speak. I also recall there was a series of ads where he had an overbearing boss and would fail a various tasks the boss would set him to. It would be nice to know if I am recalling correctly. And if I am, when did Ronald start to speak? When were the various other character pieces, like miming the arches with a hand gesture introduced, or the idea that Ronald is sort of in charge in the McDonaldland setting? 173.93.227.59 (talk) 06:01, 24 July 2023 (UTC)