Gaius Charles graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in drama, and later studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney, Australia. During his time as a student he appeared in several college productions, including the play Spunk, credited as Carnegie Mellon's first production with an all-black cast.
In 2006, Charles received his major break, appearing as Smash Williams on the NBC series Friday Night Lights. He stayed with the show as a regular until the end of the second season, and was a recurring in the early part of the third. He later focused his energies on regional theater productions, before appearing in films such as The Messenger, Toe to Toe and Salt.
In 2012, Charles returned to the small screen as he landed roles on Necessary Roughness and Grey's Anatomy.