A statue of Kermit The Frog stands at the entrance to The Jim Henson Company, Tuesday, July 7, 2020, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
The U.S. government's small business lending program sent pandemic relief money into unexpected corners of the entertainment industry.
The Muppet makers say they received about $2 million to keep their 75 workers employed through the coronavirus shutdown.
While legendary names like Francis Ford Coppola and Jim Henson hardly evoke the image of small business, the leaders of modestly sized companies that bear their names say the funds have been essential to keeping ordinary workers afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Jim Henson Co. employs about 75 people, company spokeswoman Nicole Goldman said in a statement.