Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57, his family has announced.
The actor reportedly passed away in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, following a brief illness.
The announcement was made in a statement shared on his official verified Instagram page, where the family expressed sorrow over his death and appreciated the support of well-wishers.
“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 about two years after the actor suffered the painful loss of his youngest son, Ifeanyi, who died in August 2024.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education before relocating to Nigeria for his university studies.
He gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt in 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 prominence in 1995 after starring as Ahanna in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late celebrated filmmaker Amaka Igwe. The role helped establish his reputation 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.
The actor married Adokiye in 2003, and the couple had four children together. However, the family suffered a devastating loss in August 2024 when their youngest son, Ifeanyi, died.
Duru’s death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose contributions helped shape Nigeria’s film industry over several decades.
