Nollywood Actor Francis Duru Dies at 57 After Brief Illness

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 published on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, expressing gratitude to fans and well-wishers for their prayers, love 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 about his health emerged after a video showing him looking frail circulated on social media, prompting reactions from fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry.

The actor subsequently addressed the reports in a video shared on Instagram, describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education before moving to Nigeria to pursue university studies.

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.

Duru began his acting career in 1989, featuring in Missing Mark, a film directed by the late filmmaker Ndubuisi Oko.

He rose to wider prominence in 1995 after playing Ahanna in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. The role helped establish his place in the Nigerian film industry.

Over the years, Duru earned several awards and honours for his contributions to Nollywood. He was also named a United Nations ambassador of peace in recognition of his influence on young people.

In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.

Beyond his acting career, Duru was a family man. He married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children together.

The family suffered a personal loss in August 2024 when one of their children, Ifeanyi, died.

Duru’s death marks the loss of a familiar face in Nigerian cinema, where he built a career spanning decades through his work in film and television.