Sonia Manzano

Sonia Manzano (born 1950) is an American actress, screenwriter, author, speaker and singer-songwriter. She is best known for playing Maria on Sesame Street from 1971 until her departure in 2015. She is the creator of the animated children's television series Alma's Way, from Fred Rogers Productions, and also serves as an executive producer, writer and voice actor for the show.