{{short description|South African actor (1966–2020)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Charles Maja | other_names = Big Boy | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = 1966 | birth_name = Charles Maja | birth_place = Limpopo, South Africa | death_date = 9 April 2020 (aged 54) | death_place = Limpopo, South Africa | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | alma_mater = Action School of Drama | education = | height = | years_active = 1984–2020 | known_for = | spouse = Mamopudi Maja | children = 3 | awards = | father = | mother = | relatives = | signature = | website = | footnotes = | occupation = Actor }}
'''Charles Maja''' (1966{{snd}}9 April 2020), affectionately known by his teledrama role '''Big Boy''', was a South African actor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja has died |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-04-09-skeem-saam-actor-charles-big-boy-maja-has-died/ |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref> Even though he never had formal training in acting career,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matjebele |first=Palesa |title=The glue that binds Leshole and Big Boy |url=https://www.news24.com/drum/celebs/the-glue-that-binds-leshole-and-big-boy-20181025 |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=Drum |language=en-US}}</ref> Maja became a popular radio artist in early 1980s and later became very popular with the role in the television soap opera ''Skeem Saam''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Absent dad made little Thabo Mkhabela sad |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sundayworld/lifestyle/2018-03-28-absent-dad-made-little-thabo-mkhabela-sad/ |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Leshole & Big Boy need to have 'the talk' before it's too late |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2019-05-29-in-memes-leshole-big-boy-need-to-have-the-talk-before-its-too-late/ |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
==Personal life== Charles Maja was born in 1966 in Limpopo, South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matangira |first=Lungelo |title='Skeem Saam' actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja dies |url=https://ewn.co.za/2020/04/09/skeem-saam-actor-charles-big-boy-maja-dies |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=ewn.co.za |language=en}}</ref>
He was married to his longtime partner, Mamopudi. The couple had three children: Mahlatse, Molagare, and Mapula.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja a man of many talents, including design |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2020-04-15-actor-charles-big-boy-maja-a-man-of-many-talents-including-design/ |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
He died on 9 April 2020 in Limpopo at the age of 54 after suffering a sudden stroke.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mambana |first=Duenna |title=Tributes pour in for late Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja |url=https://www.news24.com/drum/celebs/tributes-pour-in-for-late-skeem-saam-actor-charles-big-boy-maja-20200409 |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=Drum |language=en-US}}</ref> His family and the Limpopo Artist Movement (LAM) hosted a memorial service after lifting the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The funeral service took place in his home village of Ga-Maja in Limpopo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mambana |first=Duenna |title=Skeem Saam actor Charles Maja to be laid to rest this weekend |url=https://www.news24.com/drum/celebs/skeem-saam-actor-charles-maja-to-be-laid-to-rest-this-weekend-20200416 |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=Drum |language=en-US}}</ref> However, his family was fined R5 000 for violating lockdown regulations during the funeral.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-19 |title=Deceased Skeem Saam Actor Charles Maja's Family FINED For Having Funeral |url=https://iharare.com/deceased-skeem-saam-actor-charles-majas-family-fined-for-having-funeral/ |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=iHarare News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Career== He studied drama at Action School of Drama in Limpopo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Faeza |title=Difference from their characters |url=https://www.news24.com/drum/archive/difference-from-their-characters-20170728 |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=Drum |language=en-US}}</ref> Before entering television, he made extensive roles on over twenty radio dramas at Sepedi radio station Thobela FM in 1984. During this period, he appeared in the radio soap opera ''Mahlakung'' with the role "Bra Tick".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Late Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja practised lines in taxi |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-04-09-skeem-saam-actor-charles-big-boy-maja-has-died2/ |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref> However, he later took a break from radio to finish his matric. Then until 1996, he worked as a fashion designer. In 1997, he moved to professional acting, after he was cast as "Motlolu" in the SABC 2 television serial ''Ke Bona Boloi''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dayile |first=Qhama |title=We're nothing alike' – Skeem Saam's Thabo Mkhabela and Charles Maja on their roles |url=https://www.news24.com/drum/celebs/were-nothing-alike-skeem-saams-thabo-mkhabela-and-charles-maja-on-their-roles-20180427 |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=Drum |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-25 |title=Charles Maja - The Life, Achievements and Death of the Skeem Saam Actor |url=https://buzzsouthafrica.com/the-life-achievements-and-death-of-skeem-saam-actor-charles-maja/ |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=BuzzSouthAfrica |language=en-US}}</ref>
Initially, he was auditioned for a soapie in 2011 and got selected for recurring role. However, later in 2016, he joined with the cast of SABC 1 soap opera ''Skeem Saam'' and played the role of "Big Boy Mabitsela", the abusive, alcoholic father of Leshole Mabitsela.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thabo 'Leshole' Mkhabela devastated by Charles 'Big Boy' Maja's death|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-04-10-thabo-leshole-mkhabela-devastated-by-charles-big-boy-majas-death|access-date=2021-11-10|website=sowetanlive}}</ref> The role became highly popular where he continued to play the role for many years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja has died |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-04-09-skeem-saam-actor-charles-big-boy-maja-has-died/ |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why do Skeem Saam writers seem to hate Big Boy and Leshole so much? |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2019-07-02-why-do-skeem-saam-writers-seem-to-hate-big-boy-and-leshole-so-much/ |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Maja, Charles}} Category:1966 births Category:2020 deaths Category:South African male television actors Category:South African male stage actors Category:People from Limpopo