Charles Karumi Maina (born 17 August 1991), known professionally as Charlie Karumi, is a Kenyan actor and Radio (NRG Radio)/TV presenter. He has appeared in several plays, television series and films. He is best known for his role as Tony on Kenyan drama ''
Jane and Abel'' and for hosting entertainment magazine show ''Arena 254'' on
K24.
Charlie was born on 17 August 1991 in Nairobi, Kenya and grew up in Uthiru. He attended Alliance high school where his love for stage was born through the school drama club.
He later joined
Strathmore university for a degree in Business Information Technology and ended up kick starting his acting career. He landed his first acting role in the Kenyan TV series;Changes.
He has since featured in more films including;
Lies that bind
''Lies that Bind '' is a Kenyan television soap opera that premiered in November 2011 on the network KTN. It mainly features themes like polygamy, greed, lust, power and contemporary issues that affect families.
Plot
''Lies that Bind'' is a Keny ...
Nairobi Half Life Rush and Noose of Gold.
In 2015, he won the Kalasha awards for the best supporting actor for the comedy,
Fundi-mentals.
Early life
Karumi was born on 17 August 1991 in Nairobi and grew up in the neighborhood of Uthiru on the outskirts of the city. He began his education at Genesis Primary School in Uthiru, later transferring to Visa Oshwal Primary in Westlands and finally White Cottage Primary in Gachie where he sat his
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams in 2005. He then proceeded to
Alliance High School in Kikuyu for his secondary education sitting for his
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in 2008. It was while at Alliance High that he discovered his love for the stage, joining the school's drama club 'The Dramatics Society' and landing roles in 2 of the club's national award-winning plays.
In 2009, he joined
, Nairobi, and pursued a bachelor's degree in Business Information Technology (BBIT) graduating in April 2013.
Career
Karumi's professional career kicked off while in University at Strathmore. He got his first paying role on Kenyan TV series ''Changes''.
In 2009, he joined renown Kenyan repertoire theater
Phoenix Players where he trained and starred in several of the group's plays. With that training, he began his career in earnest booking roles on several Kenyan television and film productions such as ''Higher Learning,
Lies That Bind
''Lies that Bind '' is a Kenyan television soap opera that premiered in November 2011 on the network KTN. It mainly features themes like polygamy, greed, lust, power and contemporary issues that affect families.
Plot
''Lies that Bind'' is a Keny ...
, Nairobi Half Life,
Noose of Gold
''Noose of Gold'' is a Kenyan television soap opera that premiered on NTV in 2010. It is created, directed and produced by Benjamin Odiwuor in conjunction with Maxpot Media. It is topbilled by an ensemble cast that has: Ainea Ojiambo, Nana Gichur ...
'' and ''
Rush.''
In 2014, he starred alongside
Mumbi Maina
Mumbi Maina (born 14 January 1985) is a Kenyan actress known for her role in the soap opera ''Mali''.
She is an actor and dancer who has starred in both local and international films since 2009.
Mumbi is well known for her role as Zakia in the N ...
,
Brian Ogola,
Lizz Njagah
Elizabeth Anne Achieng' Njagah (born 26 December) known as Lizz Njagah, is a Kenyan actress, film director and producer.
Early life
Born and raised in Nairobi, Lizz is the seventh born among 10 siblings. Her mother died years later and her aunt t ...
and
Sarah Hassan
Sarah Hassan, O.G.W. (born 5 September 1988) is a Kenyan actress, producer, director and former TV host. She is notable for her roles in television series such as '' Crime and Justice'', ''Tahidi High'',''The Wedding Show'' and '' Zora'' and fi ...
on Maisha Magic East Drama ''
Jane and Abel.''
In 2015, he starred alongside
Gerald Langiri
''House of Lungula'' is a 2013 Kenyan comedy film directed by Alexandros Konstantaras. It focuses on the sex life of typical Kenyans.The word "lungula" means "sex" in Kenyan slang, Sheng. The film stars Gerald Langiri, Lizz Njagah and Ian Mbug ...
on comedy ''
Fundi-Mentals
''Fundi-Mentals'' is a 2015 Kenyan erotic comedy that was directed by Alexandros Konstantaras, who was also behind the '' House of Lungula'' that featured judge Ian Mbugua. The comedy has already been nominated in this year's Africa Magic Viewer' ...
,'' a role that saw him clinch the 2015
Kalasha Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2015, Karumi ventured into TV hosting, taking part in the
KTN The Presenter Season 2 talent search finishing in the final 10. A year later, he successfully auditioned for and took part in
TLC
TLC may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Television
* ''TLC'' (TV series), a 2002 British situational comedy television series that aired on BBC2
* TLC (TV network), formerly the Learning Channel, an American cable TV network
** TLC (Asia), an A ...
's Africa wide talent search, ''TLC's Next Great Presenter''. He emerged 2nd Runners Up after a successful campaign that saw him reach the final stage of the competition.
In 2017, he hosted entertainment magazine show ''Arena 254'' on K24 before booking a role in South Africa in upcoming
Danish Broadcasting Corporation
DR (), officially the Danish Broadcasting Corporation in English, is a Danish public-service radio and television broadcasting company. Founded in 1925 as a public-service organization, it is Denmark's oldest and largest electronic media enter ...
TV Series ''Liberty,'' a screen adaptation of
Jakob Ejersbo
Jakob Ejersbo (6 April 1968, in Rødovre – 10 July 2008, in Aalborg) was a Danish journalist and writer. His work is considered modern and neorealistic. Authoring the immensely popular novel, '' Nordkraft'', which sold more than 100,000 copies, ...
's book by the same name.
in 2021, Charlie started working at Homeboyz Radio on the breakfast show with G money as his co-host after quitting NRG Radio.
Vlogging
Charlie is also a regular vlogger, sharing his vlog series titled ''Charlie's Day Out''.
Filmography
Films
TV Series
Awards
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Karumi, Charlie
1991 births
Living people
21st-century Kenyan male actors
Kenyan male film actors
Kenyan male television actors
People from Nairobi
Alumni of Alliance High School (Kenya)