The sudden death of Charles Ouda, 38, popular actor, film director, script writer & media host announced early Sunday afternoon, has left many appalled. The announcement, made by his immediate family and close friends however did not mention what led to Ouda’s sudden demise.
A cross check in multiple Instagram stories of ‘Salem’ series actors, Ouda was full of life the same day when they shot the ‘final episode’.
But who is Charles Joseph Onyango Ouda?
Charles J. Ouda as he is widely known, was an actor, writer, director, singer, television host, and voice over artist. He actively got into creative art in 2002, making appearances in multiple shows, plays, films and TV series.
Charles did rounds on stage, performing in over 15 plays and 7 musicals around the world. His theatre credits include ‘Boy Gets Girl’ (playing Tony), ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ (playing Joseph), ‘Balm in Gilead’ (playing Fick), Andrew Lippa’s ‘Wild Party’ (playing Mr. Black), ‘The Iron Heel’ (playing Ernest Everhard) and ‘Out of Africa: Journey Through Magical Kenya’.
Some of his film and television credits include ‘Makutano Junction’, where he did not only star in over 12 seasons of the show but also wrote multiple episodes for the TV series.
One of his scripted episodes was awarded the World Media Award for education in 2010.
He was also a co-host at ‘Discovery +254’, a TV show where he also won a Kalasha International Award for Best Television Host, alongside his co-host Sarah Hassan.
Mr. Ouda also featured in ‘MAD’, ‘Sienna’s Choice’ and ‘The First Grader’.
Charles took some time away from his busy career to complete a 2 Year Conservatory Program at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York.
His directing skills were proven in ‘Who Are You?’, a 2016 Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shoot Out Judges Choice, a film that also won Charles the award for Best Director at the Film Lab Awards.
Charles also completed ‘Waiting Room’, a film he wrote and directed.
The actor also starred in other television shows like kids’ show The Know Zone, Changing Times, Higher Learning, Changes, Mali (NTV), Second Family and Crime and Justice, the last two being streamed on Showmax.
Most recently, Ouda was among the lead actors on ‘Salem’, a local series on Maisha Magic. He played ‘Principal Karani/Baba Tito’, a role he was handed after the resignation of Melvin Alusa who pioneered the role.
In September 2023, the actor proposed to his girlfriend, media personality Ciru Muriuki. The couple suddenly became an internet sensation, making his death even more devastating to Kenyans and to those who followed their joint ventures.
On Sunday, his family while announcing his death, remained tight-lipped on the cause, asking for privacy as they come to terms with and mourn the thespian.
According to the announcement, the actor died on Saturday evening, 3 February 2024.
“Dear friends and family, it is with great sadness that we share the passing of Charles ‘Charlie’ J.Ouda on the night of February 3, 2024,” a statement by the family read.
Rest well Charles Ouda.
