Maria is leaving Sesame Street

[allthatjazz]

variety.com/2015/tv/news/sonia-manzano-sesame-street-retiring-1201532950/


Sonia Manzano, who played Maria on the long-running PBS children’s show, is retiring 44 years after joining the series, she said at the American Library Association Annual Conference.

Manzano first appeared on “Sesame Street” in 1971, and was upped to a series regular in 1974. Manzano, with TV-husband Luis, are known to “Sesame Street” viewers for running the Fix-It Shop, which specializes in toaster repair.

Along with acting on the show, Manzano also served as a writer. She won 15 Emmys for her writing work on the show, and was nominated twice for her acting. Manzano also has a memoir releasing soon, “Becoming Maria: Love And Chaos In The South Bronx.”

While the show has yet to make an official announcement of her departure, Manzano has been actively responding to fans lamenting her exit on Twitter, reassuring them that all will still be well for Big Bird and the gang with her gone.

[meshaliuknits]

Aw, Luis is gonna have a broken heart.

Sent from my 0PJA2 using proboards

[pescalita]

NO. Application denied.

Man the thing about a second kid is you don't get to watch enough Sesame Street.

[cairo]

I remember Maria from when I was growing up. She was my favorite non-puppet on the show.

[bears]

It's kind of crazy that I watched her growing up and now my kids are watching her.

[bears]

I also wonder how they will handle her departure. I remember crying when Mr. Hooper died.

[IIOY]

Unacceptable! ::sobs::

[readyin07]

Jul 2, 2015 0:53:36 GMT -5 pescalita said:

NO. Application denied.

Man the thing about a second kid is you don't get to watch enough Sesame Street.

God I was seriously just thinking this. Almost 4yo ds2 will still watch if his brother isn't around. Damn 2nd children growing up too fast.

[bronxgirl]

I've always loved Maria.

[suzubell]

Aw She is an icon.