Maya Angelou

Former U.S. Poet Laureate, actress and raconteur Maya Angelou (b. 1928) narrated and appeared in the Sesame Street special Elmo Saves Christmas in 1996. She also appeared in a few Sesame Street insert segments in the 1990s.

Her nickname "Maya" came from her older brother, Bailey, who called her "My" and "Mine." She was nominated for Broadway's 1973 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic) for "Look Away."