Sesame Street in Seasons 3 to 45. Sesame Street in Season 46. One of these things is not like the others.
That's because 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.
[seealso URL="mashable.com/2015/05/10/new-sesame-street-set/"]
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, winning 15 Daytime Emmys as a member of its writing staff. She was also nominated twice as a performer.
Of course, Maria was much more than a friendly face on Big Bird's block. Manzano, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, had a prominent role on TV in an age when roles for people of color were few and far between -- especially when it came to children's entertainment. Generations of kids looked up to Maria as a role model on their favorite show; thousands learned Spanish words and Latin culture thanks to her storylines, including the trip she took to Puerto Rico in Season 11 -- with Big Bird tagging along, of course.
In addition, Elmo was the ring bearer at her wedding to Fix-It Shop owner Luis (played by Emilio Delgado).
Sesame Street hasn't yet made a statement about Manzano's departure from Sesame Street. But heartbroken fans can read all about her experiences in her new memoir, Becoming Maria, and maybe even look forward to a return appearance on the show in four years:
@cahuenga23 Maybe I'll go back for 50th anniversary and make a guest appearance! Gracias!— Sonia Manzano (@SoniaMManzano) July 1, 2015
Update: Sesame Street has addressed Manzano's retirement in a celebratory Facebook post.
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