Maria From Sesame Street is Leaving Show [Video]

Well this is a sad, but happy, story. It's the end of an era on Sesame Street as Sonia Manzano, the actress who has played Maria on the PBS children's program for 45 years, is retiring, but happily, of course.Awww, say it isn't so. But, no, Manzano made the announcement at an American Libraries Association conference earlier this week saying she will no longer appear on Sesame Street.

She later tweeted to fans that she may possibly return for a 50th anniversary. Manzano was in her early 20s when she joined the cast in 1971 and has gone on to win 15 Emmy Awards for her writing.