Charles Gitonga Maina (born 1976) is a 6’10” Kenyan-born actor best known for his co-starring role in The Air Up There. On the set of this film, Maina’s character Saleh is taught the “Jimmy Dolan Shake and Bake,” a basketball move that led his team to victory.
Maina also guest starred in the episode “Lostland” of the television series SeaQuest DSV, as Professor Obatu and his ancestor Deucalion.
Charles Gitonga Maina attended college at Lynn University on a basketball scholarship from 1997 to 1999. His coach would not allow him to use the ‘Jimmy Dolan Shake and Bake’ move in competition games. Maina still holds the Lynn University record for most blocks in a single game (11), which he achieved against Barry University on December 7, 1998. He left the country to try out for a team in Greece and was unable to return to the US due to visa problems. Since then, he has returned to Kenya.