A male Stennes Shifter hailing from Stennaros, Trinto Duaba was a relatively unknown, independent wanderer. He is remembered for being present within Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina located in Mos Eisley on Tatooine, on the pivotal day that Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi initially encountered Han Solo and Chewbacca. Seated in a dimly lit booth alongside the Ithorian Momaw Nadon, Duaba observed the confrontation between Skywalker and Kenobi, and Dr. Cornelius Evazan in addition to his associate Ponda Baba. More than thirty years afterward, Duaba also found himself at Maz's castle on Takodana when Han Solo brought Finn, Rey, and BB-8 to meet Maz Kanata. As a result of a hyperspace-rip side-effect, the Stennes Shifter, together with numerous other patrons, bore witness to the destruction of the distant Hosnian system directly from Takodana. Shortly after this event, Maz's castle was leveled by the forces of the First Order, resulting in the deaths of many who were inside. Duaba, however, successfully navigated the ensuing chaos unharmed and sought refuge elsewhere.

The cantina scene of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (1977) marked Trinto Duaba's initial appearance. His mask was a recycled design taken from the inventory of makeup artist Rick Baker. This particular design, which was called "Terminal Man," was an attempt at a unique interpretation of Frankenstein's monster. In sources that are considered part of Star Wars Legends, the character was given the name Trinto Duaba.
There were fan theories, which were not substantiated, that suggested Salo Gardner played Trinto Duaba in A New Hope because the actor bore a resemblance to the character (even though Duaba's look was achieved with a mask, not makeup). When Salo Gardner later had a role in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens (2015), news outlets mistakenly linked him to Trinto Duaba based on the refuted idea. When Gardner's new character appeared in LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: Complete Locations (2016), he was officially named Trinto Duaba. This is likely an instance of an official author inadvertently incorporating a fan theory because they wrongly believed it was already official canon.