Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness.
His family announced his death in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, through a statement shared on his official Instagram page.
The family expressed gratitude to fans, colleagues and well-wishers who had continued to show the actor love and support throughout his career.
They also called for prayers and understanding as they mourned his passing, while praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports suggesting that he was suffering from a life-threatening illness.
In June 2026, concerns arose among his fans and colleagues after a video showing him looking frail circulated on social media.
The video sparked speculation about his health, prompting the actor to address the reports through a post on Instagram.
He denied the claims, describing the footage as misleading and deliberately circulated to damage his reputation.
The late actor was born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria to pursue his university education.
He gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts. He graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, laying the foundation for his career in the entertainment industry.
Duru began his acting journey in 1989 when he featured in Missing Mark, a film directed by the late filmmaker Ndubuisi Oko.
Although he started acting in the late 1980s, he became more widely known in 1995 after appearing in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
In the movie, Duru played the character Ahanna, a role that contributed to his growing popularity among Nigerian movie lovers.
Over the years, he established himself as one of the familiar faces in Nollywood, appearing in several productions and earning recognition for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry.
His work also earned him several awards and honours. Beyond acting, Duru was named a United Nations ambassador of peace in recognition of his influence, particularly among young people.
In 2020, he added another achievement to his career when he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards. He received the honour for his performance in the movie Mboputa.
Away from the screen, Duru was married to his wife, Adokiye. The couple tied the knot in 2003 and had four children together.
However, the family suffered a painful loss in August 2024 when one of their children, Ifeanyi, died.
