Quick Facts
AquariusBiography
Squire Fridell (born February 9, 1943) is an American retired actor, author, and winemaker who is known for his work in over three thousand television commercials; he is also known for his portrayal as Ronald McDonald in the McDonald's commercials from 1985 to 1991.
Early life
Fridell was born in Oakland, California. He attended the University of the Pacific where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.
Career
Fridell began his acting career on stage in South Carolina in 1968.In 1974 he was an acting teacher at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, California.
From 1978 to 2012, he was a spokesman for the American TV ads for The Toyota Motor Corporation. Fridell became the official Ronald McDonald clown character in 1985, after King Moody retired from the role. He portrayed the character in the McDonald's Corporation television commercials and for the chain fast-food restaurants for six years until 1991, he reprised the role in the 1988 film Mac and Me and did the voice talent of the character in the 1989 DiC animated film The Adventures of Ronald McDonald: McTreasure Island. From the 1970s until the mid-1990s, Fridell also had supporting character roles in a number of popular TV series, such asM*A*S*H, Newhart, Ironside and Adam-12.
In 1980, Harmony Books published Fridell's book, Acting in Television Commercials for Fun and Profit, subsequently re-released by Random House in 2005.
Fridell returned as himself in several Toyota commercials in 2010, responding to the image damage the company suffered due to a slow response to safety issues in 2009.
He is also the co-owner and operator of GlenLyon Vineyards.
Author
Fridell, Squire.Acting in Television Commercials for Fun and Profit, 4th Edition (2009).Penguin Random House.
Personal life
Squire and Suzy (a professional dancer and dance teacher for many years) were married in 1977. They have one daughter, Lexy, who is pursuing an acting career in New York City. The family currently resides in Glen Ellen (in the Sonoma Valley region of California) where they have operated the GlenLyon Vineyards and Winery since 1989.
His sister, Barbara, is married to former NFL player and coach Tom Flores.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Pink Motel | George | |
| 1983 | Imps* | Newscaster | |
| 1986 | Miracles | Yates | |
| 1988 | Mac and Me | Ronald McDonald | |
| 1990 | The Adventures of Ronald McDonald: McTreasure Island | Ronald McDonald (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| 1995 | Village of the Damned | The Sheriff |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | The Bold Ones: The New Doctors | Dr. Jessup | Episode: "This Day's Child" |
| Ironside | 1st Attendant | Episode: "Little Dog, Gone" | |
| The Young Lawyers | George Nudavik | Episode: "Where's Aaron" | |
| 1970–1972 | Adam-12 | Palmer, Goldstone, Floyd Bannister | 3 episodes |
| 1972 | The Strangers in 7A | Pete | Television film |
| The Heist | Martin Galvin | ||
| 1973 | Police Story | Mod I.A. Man | Episode: "Man on a Rock" |
| 1975 | The Missing Are Deadly | Reporter #2 | Television film |
| 1976 | Holmes and Yoyo | Albert | Episode: "Funny Money" |
| 1977 | Rosetti and Ryan | Frank Ryan | 7 episodes |
| 1978 | Operation Petticoat | Lt. Meadows | Episode: "Tostin Times Two" |
| Human Feelings | Phil Sawyer | Television film | |
| 1979 | Vega$ | Paul Baker | Episode: "The Eleventh Event" |
| The Ropes | Bill | Episode: "Days of Beer and Roise" | |
| Eight is Enough | Pete Burkus | Episode: "Mary, He's Married" | |
| 1981 | M*A*S*H | Cpl. Alvin Rice | Episode: "Identity Crisis" |
| 1984 | Mama's Family | Frank Palmer | Episode: "Supermarket" |
| Newhart | Uniform Officer | Episode: "Go, Grandma, Go" | |
| For Love or Money | Howard | Television film | |
| 1985–1991 | McDonald Land | Ronald McDonald | 45 episodes |
| 1991 | Midnight Caller | Bryon Walsh | Episode: "A Cry in the Night" |
| 1992 | Bay City Story | Douglas Turner | Television film |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Top Gun: Fire at Will | Air Boss |
