Page "The Jim Henson Company" Paragraph 3

One of the company's first characters to be seen regularly on national television was Rowlf the Dog, who was initially created for Purina Dog Chow commercials and soon became famous when he became a regular character on The Jimmy Dean Show from 1963 – 66.

During this time, the show's host, Jimmy Dean, was given an opportunity to own forty percent of the company.

However, Dean turned the offer down because he didn't feel that he had earned it.