Nollywood Veteran, Francis Duru Dies At 57

Renowned Nigerian actor Francis Duru has passed away at the age of 57 following a brief illness, according to an official statement released by his family.

The family confirmed his transition in the early hours of Friday through a post shared on the late actor’s verified Instagram page.

We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness, the statement noted.

We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen, the statement added.

The announcement comes four months after the veteran actor refuted reports circulating on social media regarding his health status.

In June, public anxiety mounted among fans and colleagues after video footage showing the actor looking frail surfaced online.

Addressing the rumors at the time, Duru posted a clarification video on Instagram dismissing the footage as fabricated and malicious, assuring his supporters of his well-being.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his early education abroad before returning to Nigeria to pursue higher education.

He attended the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts in 1996.

Duru made his acting debut in 1989 in the feature film Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.

He achieved widespread prominence across West Africa in 1995 after starring as Ahanna in the action-drama Rattlesnake, directed by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Duru earned numerous accolades for his performance on screen and was appointed a United Nations Ambassador of Peace for his youth advocacy work.

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

Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and the union was blessed with four children. The family suffered a personal tragedy in August 2024 following the death of their son, Ifeanyi.