Manzano joined the “Sesame Street” cast in 1971, playing a teenage Maria, who worked in a second-hand bookstore. Three years later, she was a regular member of the cast.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - It's the end of an era for Sesame Street. Actress Sonia Manzano, who has played Maria on the beloved children's show for 45 years, announced she will be leaving the show.

Sesame Street announced it will be saying goodbye to three of its beloved characters after 45 years.

Regretfully, the time has come to find Maria a place in the ever-expanding library of ‘Sesame Street’ characters past. Look at 5 more extinct personalities from the long-running series.

Now, big changes are coming for the humans of Sesame Street, and they're pretty depressing. The show has fired three of the cast members that have been around the Street for a very long time.

Sesame Street celebrates its 40th anniversary Tuesday, and there at nearly the beginning was Sonia Manzano, who was cast as "Maria" in 1971, becoming one of the first Hispanic characters on ...

The evolution of Sesame Street continues longtime regulars Bob McGrath (Bob), Emilio Delgado (Luis) and Roscoe Orman (Gordon) won't be returning.

“Sesame Street” might be a fictional series led by a gang of chatty Muppets, but the show’s few human characters boasts the most authentic storylines across all TV. Sonia Manzano was cast as ...

When news broke that Sonia Manzano is retiring from Sesame Street after 44 years there, the Internet pretty much freaked out. How is it that a 65-year-old woman who stars on a children's TV show ...

On the show, Manzano plays Maria, who runs the Fix-It Shop with her on-screen husband Luis (Emilio Delgado). Over the years, Maria has shared screen time with most of the Sesame Street characters ...

NEW YORK — “Sesame Street” is about to be less A-OK. Sonia Manzano, who has played the role of Maria on the groundbreaking kid show since 1971, is retiring.

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? Almost anybody with a television and free time afterschool for the last 50 years has become friends with the characters on Sesame Street. About a year ...