Veteran Nollywood Actor Francis Duru Dies at 57

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced. The family disclosed his death in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, while asking fans and well-wishers to remember them in their prayers. “We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement read. The family expressed appreciation to those who had offered their support, adding, “We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.” Duru’s death has drawn tributes from colleagues and members of the Nigerian film industry, where he built a career spanning more than three decades. He gained widespread recognition for playing Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the 1995 action film produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. The role helped establish him as a familiar face in Nollywood during the industry’s formative years. Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his early education there before returning to Nigeria for university studies. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996. His acting career began in 1989 when he appeared in Missing Mark, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. He subsequently featured in numerous productions, earning recognition for his versatility and contribution to Nigerian cinema. Among his career achievements, Duru won the Best Actor in a Leading Role in an Igbo-language film category at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa. He also received a United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 in recognition of his influence on young people. Beyond acting, Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010. That year, he was also nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. His death comes months after he publicly dismissed reports suggesting that he was battling a life-threatening illness. In June 2026, the actor criticised footage circulating online about his health, describing it as fabricated and malicious. Duru was married to Adokiye, and they had four children. The family suffered a major loss in August 2024 when their son, Ifeanyi, died. News of the actor’s death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from colleagues and admirers, many of whom have remembered his performances and longstanding contribution to Nollywood. Details of his funeral arrangements had not been announced at the time of reporting.