Charles Gitonga Maina Biography
Charles Gitonga Maina is a Kenyan man known for his work as an actor and basketball player. He was born in 1976 in Nairobi, Kenya. His story shows how someone from a simple background can reach big stages like Hollywood films and college sports in the United States. Maina first gained attention for his role in the 1994 movie The Air Up There, where he played Saleh, a tall basketball talent from Africa. This film starred Kevin Bacon as a coach who finds Saleh in a madeup tribe. Maina’s real life shared some parts with the movie, like his love for basketball and his height of about 6 feet 10 inches.
He started playing basketball as a teen in his neighborhood. This led to chances in acting and sports abroad. After the movie, he appeared in one episode of the TV show SeaQuest 2032 in 1995. Then, he focused on basketball, playing at colleges in the US from 1995 to 1999. He set records and helped his team do well. But life after college brought challenges, like failed tries to play pro ball and health problems back in Kenya.
As of 2016, Maina lived quietly in Nairobi, helping young players and doing small jobs. Recent checks in 2025 show no big changes in his public life. His journey teaches about hard work, chances, and tough times. It also highlights how Kenyan talents can shine globally in sports and entertainment. This biography covers his early days, schooling, work path, private life, and more to help readers learn from his experiences.
Charles Gitonga Maina Early Life
Charles Gitonga Maina was born in 1976 in Buruburu, a middleclass area in Nairobi, Kenya. He grew up as the third child in a family of four kids. His father worked as an auditor for a phone company, and his mother was a nurse. They provided a stable home in a busy city suburb. Maina belongs to the Kikuyu group, one of Kenya’s main ethnic communities. This background shaped his views on family and community.
As a boy, Maina enjoyed outdoor activities in his neighborhood. At age 14, around 1990, he found basketball. He played barefoot with friends on a dirt court near home. These games built his skills and love for the sport. Kenya did not have many organized youth programs then, so he learned through fun matches. His height helped him stand out quickly.
In 1991, at just 15 years old, Maina won the Nairobi Slam Dunk Championship. This win changed his plans. He had thought about studying computers and business at the University of Nairobi. Instead, basketball became his focus. This early success opened doors to bigger opportunities. It showed his natural talent for jumping and scoring.
Life in Buruburu taught Maina about resilience. The area had vibrant streets but also challenges like limited resources. He practiced without fancy gear, using what was available. This humble start prepared him for future adventures. His family supported his interests, even as he balanced school and sports. These years laid the foundation for his unique path in acting and athletics.
Charles Gitonga Maina Education
Maina attended Jamhuri High School in Nairobi, finishing in 1992. There, he continued playing basketball while studying basic subjects. The school helped develop his athletic side alongside academics.
After high school, his education linked closely with basketball. In 1995, he moved to the United States. He first joined Barton County Community College in Kansas. He played as a reserve player there. Next, he transferred to MiamiDade Kendall Community College in Florida. He became a starter and led in blocked shots.
In 1997, Maina got a scholarship to Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. He studied international business and played basketball until 1999. At Lynn, he earned his degree while setting school records. His coach, Jeff Price, guided him in both sports and studies.
Maina’s time in US colleges mixed learning with competition. He adapted to new cultures and systems. This education gave him skills beyond the court, like business knowledge. It also helped him grow as a person far from home.
Charles Gitonga Maina Career
Maina’s career mixed acting and basketball over many years. It started with a big break in film, then moved to sports, and later faced setbacks.
In 1993, at age 17, Maina heard about tryouts for The Air Up There. The movie needed a tall African basketball player. He competed against 46 others in Nairobi. He called himself a “dunkaholic” during the audition. Director Paul Michael Glaser liked this and chose him. Maina and a friend flew to Los Angeles for final tests. This was his first trip outside Kenya, as he said in interviews.
The film came out in 1994. Maina played Saleh, a prince from a fictional Winabi tribe who becomes a basketball star. Kevin Bacon played the coach Jimmy Dolan. Most filming happened in Kenya and Hoedspruit, South Africa, with local people involved. Coactor Nigel Miguel called Maina a “sweet kid” fit for the role. Critics said Maina’s acting was “warmly appealing,” though the movie got mixed reviews. This role made him known worldwide.
In 1995, Maina had a small part in the TV show SeaQuest 2032. He played Professor Obatu and an ancestor named Deucalion in the episode “Lostland.” This was his last known acting job. His height sometimes limited roles.
After acting, Maina chased basketball dreams in the US. NBA player Bob McAdoo helped him after seeing the movie. In 1995, Maina started at Barton County Community College. He sat on the bench mostly. Then, at MiamiDade Kendall, he led in blocks.
From 1997 to 1999, at Lynn University, Maina shone. Here are his key achievements as a list:
- Set the school record for most blocks in one game: 11 against Barry University on December 7, 1998.
- Helped the team reach the NCAA Division II semifinals in the 19971998 season.
- His coach banned flashy moves like the “Jimmy Dolan Shake and Bake” from the movie.
- Praised for timing and shotblocking by coach Jeff Price.
Maina averaged good stats in points, rebounds, and blocks during his time there.
After college in 1999, Maina tried pro basketball in Europe. He went to Greece for tryouts but did not make a team. Visa problems stopped him from returning to the US easily. McAdoo had warned about this risk. Maina went back to Kenya.
Back home, he faced hard times. He did not play pro ball. Instead, he took small jobs. As of 2016, he did freelance forex trading at internet cafes. He also coached young kids in basketball for free in his neighborhood. He did not own a basketball or cellphone then.
Recent info from 2025 shows Maina may work at Kenya Wildlife Service, based on his Facebook page. But no confirmed details on current jobs. His career shows highs in film and college sports, then a quiet life. It inspires many in Kenya about global chances in entertainment and athletics.
Charles Gitonga Maina Personal Life
Maina lives a private life in Buruburu, Nairobi. As of 2016, he stayed with his parents in their family home. He has no children and is not married, but social profiles suggest he is in a relationship.
In March 2003, two men attacked him on the street. They stabbed him and hit him with a stone, breaking his jaw. He spent three weeks in the hospital. This event caused trust issues. He once said, “I find it very hard to trust a human being.”
Later, he got tuberculosis, which brought deep depression. He dealt with isolation and money problems. He withdrew from social activities at times.
Maina enjoys simple hobbies like visiting local bars and mentoring youth in sports. His height and past fame make him known in the community. He values family ties and Kikuyu roots. Despite challenges, he shows quiet strength in daily life.
Conclusion
Charles Gitonga Maina’s life tells a story of talent, opportunity, and endurance. From Nairobi streets to Hollywood sets and US courts, he achieved much. His movie role in 1994 and college records in 1998 stand out. Yet, setbacks like the 2003 attack and health issues tested him. As of 2025, he lives modestly in Kenya, helping others. His path reminds us that success comes in many forms. It encourages young Kenyans to chase dreams in sports and film.
FAQs
What is Charles Gitonga Maina known for?
He is best known for acting in the 1994 film The Air Up There with Kevin Bacon and playing college basketball in the US.
Where was Charles Gitonga Maina born?
He was born in 1976 in Buruburu, Nairobi, Kenya.
Did Charles Gitonga Maina play professional basketball?
No, he tried out in Europe after college in 1999 but did not make a team and returned to Kenya.
What happened to Charles Gitonga Maina after the movie?
He acted in one TV episode in 1995, played college basketball until 1999, faced an assault in 2003, got tuberculosis, and now lives quietly in Nairobi.
Where is Charles Gitonga Maina now in 2025?
As of recent checks, he lives in Buruburu, Nairobi, and may work at Kenya Wildlife Service, based on his social media.
Is Charles Gitonga Maina married?
No, he is not married and has no children, but he is in a relationship.
What other movies or shows was Charles Gitonga Maina in?
Besides The Air Up There in 1994, he appeared in the 1995 episode “Lostland” of SeaQuest 2032.
Did Charles Gitonga Maina go to college?
Yes, he studied international business at Lynn University from 1997 to 1999 while playing basketball.