Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, leaving colleagues, fans and the Nigerian entertainment industry mourning his loss.
His family announced his death in a statement shared on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement read.
The family expressed gratitude to those who had offered prayers and support during the difficult period, asking for understanding as they mourned their loss.
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, also confirmed the actor’s death, paying tribute to him as a great thespian.
Duru was widely recognised for his role as Ahanna in the 1995 Nollywood classic Rattlesnake, produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. The performance helped establish him as a familiar face in Nigerian cinema.
His acting career began in 1989, and he went on to feature in numerous productions over more than three decades. In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru later moved to Nigeria, where he studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt.
His death comes months after he dismissed online speculation about a serious health condition, describing a video that had circulated in June as misleading. His family has not disclosed the specific illness that preceded his death.
Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children. The family also suffered the loss of their son, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.
His passing marks the end of a decades-long career that connected him with generations of Nollywood audiences.
May his soul rest in peace.
