➜ Sonia Manzano

⬤ ⬤ ⬤

Sonia Manzano was proudly raised in the South Bronx. Her passion for performing led her to the prestigious High School of Performing Arts, followed by a drama scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University. She soon joined the original off-Broadway production of Godspell.

Behind the scenes of the 1984 SESAME STREET musical sketch “You Say Hola and I Say Hola,” written by Sonia Manzano and featuring Emilio Delgado as Luis alongside Manzano as Maria. Photo credit: Bob Jeronimo.

At just 21 years old, Sonia landed the iconic role of “Maria” on SESAME STREET, becoming the first Latina to appear on national television in a regular role—a role she would embody for 44 years. Sonia quickly became a standout on the revolutionary children’s show, known for her comic timing and honest, heartfelt performances. “Maria” became a source of comfort and joy for millions of children, especially those who had never seen themselves represented on screen.

Sonia was more than just a beloved character. She was also a TV trailblazer behind the scenes. She joined the SESAME STREET writing staff and went on to earn 15 Emmy Awards for writing. And in 2016, she received the Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sonia Manzano in STREET SMART: LESSONS FROM A TV ICON

Sonia is also a prolific author, with books such as The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano (which received the Pura Belpré Author Honor in 2013), Coming Up Cuban (2022), and her critically acclaimed memoir Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx (2015).

Today, Sonia creates television on her own terms. In 2021, she created ALMA’S WAY, an animated series on PBS that follows a modern Puerto Rican family in the Bronx and empowers kids to think for themselves. And in 2025, the hit show was renewed for a third season.

Sonia Manzano with character Alma Rivera from ALMA’S WAY at the Magic House St Louis Children’s Museum exhibition.
Photo Credit: Jason Winkeler, Courtesy of Nine PBS