Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 after a brief illness, his family has confirmed.
The announcement was made in a statement published on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, with the family expressing gratitude to fans and well-wishers for their support.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness.
“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement read.
The actor is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and their children.
Duru earned widespread recognition in the Nigerian film industry for his portrayal of Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the 1995 movie produced by late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
His death comes months after he refuted claims that he was suffering from a life-threatening illness. In June, the actor took to Instagram to debunk reports about his health, describing a video circulating online as false and condemning those responsible for spreading it.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru received his primary and secondary education in the country before relocating to Nigeria for his university education.
He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Duru began his acting career in 1989, making his film debut in Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. His subsequent performance in Rattlesnake helped establish him as a prominent figure in Nollywood.
Throughout his career, which spanned several decades, he appeared in numerous Nigerian films, including Blood Money (1997), Stigma (2013) and Mboputa (2020).
His contributions to the industry earned him several recognitions. In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
He also received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 for his influence on young people.
Beyond acting, Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010. That same year, he was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
