Charlie Karumi
Charles Karumi Maina (born 17 August 1991), known professionally as Charlie Karumi, is a Kenyan actor and TV presenter.[1] 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 Karumi | |
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'Charlie' (photo by Anthony Trivet) | |
Born | Charles Karumi Maina 17 August 1991 Nairobi, Kenya |
Occupation | Actor, TV presenter |
Website | charliekarumi |
Early life
Karumi was born on the 17th of August, 1991 in Nairobi[2] 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 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 Strathmore University, 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, Nairobi Half Life, Noose of Gold and Rush.
In 2014, he starred alongside Mumbi Maina, Brian Ogola, Lizz Njagah and Sarah Hassan on Maisha Magic East Drama Jane and Abel.
In 2015 he starred alongside Gerald Langiri on comedy Fundi-Mentals, a role that saw him clinch the 2015 Kalasha Award for Best Supporting Actor.[3][4]
In 2015, Karumi ventured into TV hosting, taking part in the KTN The Presenter Season 2 talent search finishing in the final 10.[5] A year later, he successfully auditioned for and took part in TLC's Africa wide talent search, TLC's Next Great Presenter.[6][7] He emerged 2nd Runners Up after a successful campaign that saw him reach the final stage of the competition.[8][9]
In 2017, he hosted entertainment magazine show Arena 254 on K24 before booking a role in South Africa in upcoming Danish Broadcasting Corporation TV Series Liberty, a screen adaptation of Jakob Ejersbo's book by the same name.[10]
Vlogging
Charlie is also a regular vlogger, sharing his vlog series titled Charlie's Day Out'.
Filmography
Films
Year | Film | Role | Production Company |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Issah | Arnoldo | Mo Amin Foundation |
2012 | Nairobi Half Life | Phoenix Casting Director | One Fine Day Films |
2013 | Burnt Forest | Kibet | ZippyFilms |
2015 | The Friend | Troy | Kibanda Pictuures |
2015 | Birthday Wish | Drake | Zamaradi Films |
2015 | Fundi-Mentals | Moses | Historia Films |
2015 | Just An Outside Shot | Sam | Simple Bulldog Studios |
2015 | #18 Pleasure Street | Greg | Spielworks Media |
2016 | Afya Centre | Gerald | |
2017 | Watu Wote | Issa Ossman | Hamburg Media School |
2018 | Rafiki |
TV Series
Year | Show | Role | Production Company |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Changes: Season 1 | Chuma | Zebra Productions |
2010 | Noose of Gold | Tommy | Maxpot Media |
2011 | Higher Learning | Joe | Spielworks Media |
2011 | Lies that Bind | Mark | |
2013 | Jane & Abel | Tony | |
2015 | Rush | Bill | C-Through Production Ltd |
2016 | News Just In | Otieno | Historia Films |
2017 | Janjaruka | Johnnie | Flick 7 Pictures |
2018 | Liberty | Marcus | Danish Broadcasting Corporation |
Awards
Year | Nominated Work | Role | Award | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Fundi-Mentals | Moses | Best Supporting Actor | Won | [4] |
References
- "One-on-one with presenter Charlie Karumi". MediaMax Network.
- "Charlie Karumi's Bio". Charlie Karumi. 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- Film, Kenya. "Nominees & Winners - Kenya Film Commission". www.kenyafilmcommission.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- "Kenya: 2015 Kalasha Awards: Winners (Full List)". Capital FM (Nairobi). 4 November 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- Digital, The Standard. "Slideshow - The Presenter: The lucky 21". Standard Digital News. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- "Meet Lucky 13er Charlie Karumi". www.dstv.com. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- Mosongo, Josephine (19 September 2016). "Kenyan Actor Finalist at TLC's 'Next Great Presenter'". The Nation (Nairobi). Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- "TLC's Next Great Presenter". TLC's Next Great Presenter. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- "TLC Next Great Presenter Top 3". www.dstv.com. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- "Skuespillerne til ny DR-dramaserie er på plads". DR (in Danish). Retrieved 26 July 2017.