An old-timey McDonald's character is making a comeback this month. See if you can guess who it is!
This Mysterious Retro Character Is Returning to McDonald’s—And We Have the Details
Published on Feb. 06, 2025
It’s hard not to love a good dose of nostalgia, especially when it comes to our childhood faves. And right now, nobody does nostalgia better than McDonald’s. That’s how I found myself on a quest with my daughter to find the sold-out, berry-flavored Grimace Shake in the summer of 2023.
I hadn’t thought about Grimace in decades, not since my childhood birthday party at a McDonald’s PlayPlace, which was filled with the pantheon of popular McDonald’s characters. Aside from Grimace, there was the Hamburglar, of course, along with the Fry Guys, Officer Big Mac, Mayor McCheese and more.
Well, McDonald’s is resurfacing another popular vintage character this month—one who hasn’t been around since the ’80s. Can you guess who it might be? Read on to find out the identity of this mysterious character, along with details on why he’s making a comeback.
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Which retro character is McDonald’s bringing back?
McDonald’s is bringing back—wait for it—Uncle O’Grimacey. Scratching your head and wondering, Er, who? You’re definitely not alone. Even die-hard McDonald’s fans may not remember Grimace’s very green Irish uncle, who made his debut in the character lineup to promote the Shamrock Shake way back in 1975. Yep, a whopping 50 years ago!
So were Uncle Grimace fans clamoring for his return? We’re going to go out on a limb here and say no. It’s more likely that McDonald’s wanted to find a way to capitalize on the public’s love of Grimace and make the brand’s beloved Shamrock Shake even buzzier this year. To refresh your memory, Grimace’s comeback in 2023 prompted a viral Grimace Shake challenge, as well as the big purple guy’s foray into Major League Baseball, when fans believed the “Grimace Effect” flipped the Mets’s losing streak and took them all the way to the playoffs.
What do we know about Uncle O’Grimacey?
Uncle O’Grimacey is part of Grimace’s extended family, which also includes Grandma Winky and two aunts named Millie and Tillie. While the other family members live on Grimace Island, Uncle O’Grimacey hails from Sham Rock, Ireland.
A fluffy green monster who wears a hat and vest and carries a cane, he appeared from 1975 to the mid-1980s in McDonald’s ads to promote his signature drink, the Shamrock Shake. Of course, that’s the fan-favorite, mint-flavored green shake that has shown up on menus annually since 1967 in the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day. And it may already be at a McDonald’s near you this year!
Why is Uncle O’Grimacey returning now?
According to brand-new McDonald’s lore (aka a McDonald’s press release), Grimace reached out to his uncle after discovering his family’s original recipe for the Shamrock Shake. But the real reason for Uncle O’Grimacey’s return is to celebrate another big milestone—the 50th anniversary of the fast-food chain’s very first Ronald McDonald House. He will also help raise money for the charity, which helps families with accommodations while their children are receiving care in the hospital.
How, exactly? If you buy a Shamrock Shake at participating McDonald’s locations between Feb. 10 and March 23, McDonald’s will donate 25 cents to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). And given the popularity of this limited-edition seasonal item, that will add up fast! McDonald’s 2025 goal is to raise $5 million, which could fund up to 50,000 overnight stays for families in RMHC programs.
“Our long-standing tradition of the Shamrock Shake is a testament to the joy we bring to our customers. This year, we are getting back to the first fundraiser that started our incredible partnership with RMHC,” said Michael Gonda, chief impact officer for McDonald’s North America. “This Shamrock Shake season, with a little extra cheer from the Grimace family, we’re reminded that the most precious gift is being close to those you love.”
How else can you help?
If you’re not a fan of the Shamrock Shake (it’s crazy, we know, but possible) but still want to contribute to this worthy cause, you can donate on the RMHC website or buy Uncle O’Grimacey T-shirts, hats and other merch. We dare you to resist this “Who’s your uncle?” tee emblazoned with Uncle O’Grimacey. It’s already starting to sell out, so don’t delay!
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