Sonia Manzano, who’s been playing one of the classic series’ most beloved human characters for more than four decades, announced this week that she’s finally moving away from 123 Sesame Street. Manzano has been an integral cog in the Sesame machine since she joined in 1971, playing amiable teenager Maria, who had a part-time job at the Sesame Street Library. Eventually, she moved on to the neighborhood’s Fix-It Shop, and Manzano herself transitioned to writing for the series, as well as appearing on it. She won 15 Daytime Emmys as a member of its writing staff and was nominated twice as a performer.
