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T-RAY Inner circle 1539 Posts |
Does anyone know the history of all the clowns who played Ronald McDonald? I have met 2 of the original guys....how many are there?
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shomemagic Inner circle Missouri 2232 Posts |
Wasn't Willard Scott from The Today Show one of or the original?
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cardone Special user 860 Posts |
I think Ajay was one of the first.......
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Chuck Lyons Loyal user Channahon, IL 264 Posts |
Sorry Willard scott was the first one , Then King moody, who hated kids by the way. Ay jay is in charge of the ronalds and There have been 6 diiferent roinalds on TV but many hundreds that appear in the local markets. My Friend Earl Chaney from Las Vegas was Ray Kroc's personal choice for Ronald when ever Mr Kroc appeared with ronald. Hope that helps.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
As I understand it having talked to several of these folks, the identities of the various regional Ronald McDonalds is supposed to be a guarded secret. Apparently, the "Ronald's" are required, by contractual agreement, to keep their identity confidential. They can't promote themselves as regional Ronalds nor can they wear anything out of character that identifies them as a "Ronald". A friend received a beautiful gold ring for years of service as a regional Ronald...and he can't wear it in public.
McDonald's is so serious about Ronald's public image that the costume reportedly has small airbags installed so that every Ronald's physical appearance is as identical as possible...right down to the size and shapes of their buttocks. Now that's attention to detail! Willard Scott was originally contracted to develop the Ronald McDonald character in 1963. The company used him for a couple of spots then opted for a thinner, more fast-food-friendly image character. In 1966, McDonald's hired Michael "Coco" Polakovs to redsign Mr. Scott's Ronald. Mr. Polakovs and Mr. Scott were both local Bozo the Clown performers...so together they morphed Bozo into a more kid-friendly Ronald. McDonald's claims that, next to Santa Claus, Ronald McDonald is the most recognized fictional character worldwide and is the second most internationally recognized brand after Coca Cola. Ronald McDonald also has the distinction of appearing as Public Enemy #1 on PETA's hit list. Japan has recently introduced a female and somewhat sexier version of Ronald McDonald...with considerable success. Ronald didn't start as Ronald. Marketing execs had a different name for the original character...but, he was unveiled in the Washington D.C. market and a TV weatherman of some notoriety already had that name...so they reluctantly changed it to Ronald McDonald. I can't rememebr the original name now. If you're interested, you can see videos of Willard Scott as the original Ronald McDonald at http://www.thejoyboys.com/ronald.htm. Curiously, reports state that Ronald McDonald has never once been filmed actually eating anything from the McDonald's menu. Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
FacadeTheStiltBoy Elite user Greensboro NC 474 Posts |
The only one that I knew of was Aye Jay. The man is well..... for a lack of better words just *** cool to hang around with. Have him tell you storys of the past gronig up with the carnival, or teach you a magic trick.
And don't forget to grab his book "The Art of Smhoozing" (ok so I jacked up the spelling on it but yeah) Great guy. |
actorscotty Veteran user wilmington nc 397 Posts |
Well a few notes, I was a regional Ronald for five years covering new orleans primarily. King Moody was the actor who portrayed Ronald in the tv ads,(the real Ronald is the one who performs at the locations) the field consultant Ronald was Aye Jaye,( both great guys) unless things have changed there are no little airbags in the costume etc.... Aye Jaye did workshops with the Ronalds from all over the world and taught the makeup, in a class called"where is ronald on your face ........as far as numbers . best I can recall there were about 114 , from a lot of countries when I was working
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
Being a Ronald McDonald is a great gig in a lot of areas if you can get it.
Steve V |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
How would one go about gettin the Ronald McDonald gig? I have never seen or heard McDonald's advertising for an opening for the Roanld McDonald position.
Regan
Mister Mystery
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KenW Elite user 439 Posts |
SHHHHHHH! Ask Earl Channey in Las Vegas at Planet Mirth.
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
Contact McDonalds. They have regional Ronalds and if you get the franchise it is yours until you give it up or mess it up. Some Ronalds make a lot of money, others just do well, depends on the market. I knew a guy who was a Ronald and I think they found out he was a pretty wacked out guy outside of the gig so he is no longer a Ronald.
Steve V |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Thanks guys. I don't know if I would be interested or not. I guess I would have to know more details before I could make up my mind.
Regan
Mister Mystery
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Years ago I was sent straight to AyJay's business line. I'm not sure that he's still handling the regional Ronalds, however. You can call the McDonald's Customer Inquiry line at 1-800-244-6227 or write to them at McDonald’s Corporation, 2111 McDonald's Dr., Oak Brook, IL 60523. When I looked into it, AyJay was very courteous and friendly and mentioned that they always had openings...but, applying would have required me to relocate to another region.
Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Thanks Skip. Great info!
Regan
Mister Mystery
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Freak Prodigy Inner circle NYC & LA 1805 Posts |
When I was younger I lived across the street from a "Ronald" this was in West Virgina
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