Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 after a brief illness, his family has announced.
The actor’s family disclosed his death in a statement published on his official verified Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, while asking for prayers and understanding from fans and members of the public.
The statement read: “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.”
Duru, who spent more than three decades in the Nigerian film industry, was best known for playing Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the 1995 film produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
His death comes about two years after the actor and his family lost their youngest son, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in the country before moving to Nigeria to pursue higher education.
He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, graduating with 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 breakthrough came six years later with Rattlesnake, in which his portrayal of Ahanna brought him wider recognition among Nigerian film audiences.
He subsequently featured in several productions, including Blood Money (1997), Stigma (2013) and Mboputa (2020), building a career that spanned different phases of Nollywood’s development.
His performance in Mboputa earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2020. He was also nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2010.
Beyond his work on screen, Duru played a role in the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, serving as the organisation’s interim president in 2010.
He received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 in recognition of his influence on young people.
The actor’s death comes months after he publicly dismissed reports that he was suffering from a life-threatening illness.
In June, Duru addressed footage circulating online about his health in a video shared on Instagram, describing the reports as false and criticising those responsible for spreading them.
His family has not disclosed further details about the illness that led to his death.
Duru is survived by his wife, Adokiye, whom he married in 2003, and their three surviving children.
His passing marks the loss of an actor whose career encompassed film performances, industry leadership and contributions to the growth of Nollywood over more than 30 years.
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