Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family confirmed his death in a statement shared on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, expressing appreciation to fans, colleagues and well-wishers for their support and prayers.
“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.
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, also confirmed the actor’s death, paying tribute to the late thespian.
“Another great thespian is gone. Rest in peace, Francis Duru,” Yakubu wrote.
Duru was widely recognised for his role as Ahanna in the 1995 Nollywood classic Rattlesnake, produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. His performance helped establish him as a familiar face in Nigeria’s movie industry.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru began his acting career in 1989. He later studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, graduating in 1996.
Throughout his career, he featured in several Nigerian films, including Blood Money, Stigma and Mboputa, earning recognition for his contributions to the industry.
In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa. He also served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010.
Duru’s death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose career spanned more than three decades and whose work contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry.
He is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and their children.