George Bates Voorhis, Jr. (August 31, 1923 – July 7, 1989) was the co-creator (with Terry Teene

Terry Teene

Terry Teene is a musician, vocalist, songwriter, and entertainer, most commonly known for the early 1960s novelty hit "Curse of the Hearse". According to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, he has recorded over 300 distinct songs and played on 100 or more released recordings, performing as a "major...

) of Ronald McDonald

Ronald McDonald

Ronald McDonald is a clown character used as the primary mascot of the McDonald's fast-food restaurant chain. In television commercials, the clown inhabits a fantasy world called McDonaldland, and has adventures with his friends Mayor McCheese, the Hamburglar, Grimace, Birdie the Early Bird, and...

.

Career

He was a professional clown and magician and was Ronald McDonald in Southern California from the mid-sixties until the mid-eighties. He made several commercials but his primary function as Ronald was personal appearances at openings of new McDonald's stores and newly renovated stores in and around the So. Cal. area.

Trivia

Voorhis was a favorite clown among the other clowns and introduced the Big Mac successfully to McDonald's. One of his clown characters was called "Mr. Pockets". George Voorhis had a daughter named Barbara Voorhis who along with George Voorhis as Ronald performed at openings of new McDonalds Restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area. The shows were performed on a mobile stage called McDonaldland and included a magic show performed by George and his daughter Barbara as the Hamburgler.