Squire Fridell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Squire Fridell
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Fridell in 1977
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| Born | February 9, 1943 |
| Education | University of the Pacific |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1968–1996 |
| Spouse(s) |
Suzanne McDermaid
(m. 1977) |
| Children | 1 |
Squire Fridell (born February 9, 1943) is an American actor, author, and winemaker who is well-known for his many roles in TV commercials. In the 1980s, he was the spokesperson for Toyota cars and also played Ronald McDonald.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Squire Fridell was born in Oakland, California. He went to the University of the Pacific for his education.
He started his acting journey on stage in Southern California in 1968. Later, in 1974, he even taught acting at a high school in Pico Rivera, California.
A Career in Acting and Commercials
Squire Fridell became famous for his work in television commercials. From 1978 to 2012, he was the main spokesperson for Toyota Motor Corporation in their American TV ads. Many people recognized him from these commercials!
In 1985, Squire Fridell took on a very special role: he became the official Ronald McDonald clown character. He played Ronald McDonald in McDonald's Corporation TV commercials and at their fast-food restaurants for six years, until 1991.
Besides the commercials, he also played Ronald McDonald in the 1988 movie Mac and Me. He also lent his voice to the character in the 1989 animated film The Adventures of Ronald McDonald: McTreasure Island.
Squire Fridell also appeared in many popular TV shows from the 1970s to the mid-1990s. Some of these shows include M*A*S*H, Newhart, Ironside, and Adam-12.
In 1980, Squire Fridell wrote a book called Acting in Television Commercials for Fun and Profit. This book was re-released in 2005, helping others learn about acting in commercials.
He even returned to Toyota commercials in 2010. He helped the company by talking about their efforts to improve safety after some issues in 2009.
Life Outside Acting
Squire Fridell is also a co-owner of GlenLyon Vineyards. He and his wife, Suzanne McDermaid, have been running this winery since 1989.
Family Life
Squire Fridell married Suzanne McDermaid in 1977. Suzanne was a professional dancer and dance teacher. They have one daughter named Lexy, who is also pursuing an acting career. The family lives in Glen Ellen, which is in the Sonoma Valley region of California.
Squire's sister, Barbara, is married to Tom Flores, a former NFL player and coach.
Film and TV Appearances
Squire Fridell appeared in several movies and television shows throughout his career.
Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Mac and Me | Ronald McDonald | |
| 1990 | The Adventures of Ronald McDonald: McTreasure Island | Ronald McDonald (voice) | Direct-to-video film |
Television Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970–1972 | Adam-12 | Various roles | 3 episodes |
| 1977 | Rosetti and Ryan | Frank Ryan | 7 episodes |
| 1981 | M*A*S*H | Cpl. Alvin Rice | Episode: "Identity Crisis" |
| 1984 | Newhart | Uniform Officer | Episode: "Go, Grandma, Go" |
| 1985–1991 | McDonald Land | Ronald McDonald | 45 episodes |
Video Games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Top Gun: Fire at Will | Air Boss |
