18. A TV Weatherman Coined The Name Ronald McDonald
Willard Scott, the first actor who played Ronald, also came up with the characters name, but instead of becoming synonymous with the mascot, he was fired soon afterwards. After playing Ronald in TV ads, Scott found himself unemployed when Ray Kroc decided he was too overweight to advertise their product. In fact, none of the first four actors who appeared in the role lasted longer than two years. Scott had the last laugh, though - he subsequently found a position as the weatherman on NBCs Today programme, and later recorded a TV ad for Burger King.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
