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 on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, while thanking fans and well-wishers for their 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.
He subsequently shared a video on Instagram describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.
Francis Duru’s acting career
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education there before moving to Nigeria for 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 with Missing Mark, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.
He gained wider recognition in 1995 after playing Ahanna in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
Over the years, he received several awards and honours for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry. He was also named a United Nations ambassador of peace in recognition of his influence on young people.
In 2020, Duru won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
Family life
Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children together.
The family suffered a loss in August 2024 when one of their children, Ifeanyi, died.
His death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose career spanned several decades in Nollywood.
