People: Maria moving out of ‘Sesame Street’
“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.
Manzano, 65, broke the news earlier this week at the American Library Association Annual Conference. She said she wouldn’t be part of PBS’ new “Sesame Street” season.
A beloved resident of Sesame Street since she was a teenager, the character Maria owned the neighborhood repair shop with husband Luis (played by Emilio Delgado, who remains on the show). Sesame Workshop did not say how her absence would be explained.
Manzano also served as a writer for the show, sharing in 15 Emmy awards as a member of the writing team. She has also written children’s books.
Born in a Puerto Rican neighborhood of the Bronx that resembled the city world “Sesame Street” would later embrace, Manzano attended Manhattan’s High School of Performing Arts and then Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
She began her show business career in the original cast of the musical “Godspell,” which began as a student production on the Carnegie Mellon campus. In 1971, she auditioned for “Sesame Street.”
L.A. County won’t charge Combs
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office declined Thursday to file felony charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs for a confrontation last month at the University of California, Los Angeles, where his son plays football.
District attorney spokesman Ricardo Santiago said the office decided instead to turn the case over to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office, which could file lesser misdemeanor charges.
No charges have been brought against the 45-year-old hip-hop mogul for the confrontation June 20 at UCLA’s athletic facilities in which police said he wielded a piece of weight-room equipment called a kettlebell. The “Bad Boy for Life” rapper said he was defending himself and his son.
He was arrested for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon, battery and making terrorist threats. He posted bail and was released from jail hours after he was taken into custody.
Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the city attorney, confirmed his office would review the case.
UCLA officials have said little about the confrontation except that no one was seriously hurt.
Combs’ son Justin Combs is a redshirt junior defensive back on the UCLA football team, which has been working out on campus. He has played in just a handful of games in his three years with the team.
The birthday bunch
Jazz musician Pete Fountain is 85. Actor Michael Cole (TV: “The Mod Squad”) is 75. Actress Jan Smithers is 66. Talk show host Montel Williams is 59. Actress-singer Audra McDonald is 45. Actress Olivia Munn is 35.