Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family announced his death in a statement posted on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, expressing gratitude to fans, colleagues and well-wishers for their prayers and 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.
Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness.
In June, concerns emerged among fans and colleagues after a video showing the actor looking frail circulated on social media. Reacting to the reports, Duru shared a video on Instagram, describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.
Early Life and Education
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in the country before relocating to Nigeria for his university education.
He gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Acting Career and Rise to Fame
Duru began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, a film directed by the late filmmaker Ndubuisi Oko.
He gained wider recognition in 1995 after starring in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. In the film, he played the character Ahanna, a role that helped establish his presence in the Nigerian film industry.
Over the years, Duru built a career spanning several decades, earning recognition for his contributions to Nollywood and his performances across different productions.
His achievements included the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
He was also named a United Nations ambassador of peace in recognition of his influence on young people.
Family and Personal Life
Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and the couple had four children together.
The family suffered a tragic loss in August 2024 when one of their children, Ifeanyi, died.
His death marks another painful chapter for the family, while his passing has brought an end to a career that spanned more than three decades in the Nigerian film industry.
Duru will be remembered for his contributions to Nollywood, his memorable performances and his impact on Nigerian entertainment.