Veteran Nollywood Actor Francis Duru Dies at 57

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57, his family has announced.

The family disclosed his death in a statement posted on the actor’s official Instagram page early Friday, saying he passed away following a brief illness.

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

The family expressed appreciation for the prayers, love and understanding shown to them during the difficult period, adding, “May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports circulating on social media in June that he was battling a life-threatening illness. The rumours gained traction after footage showing him looking frail went viral, prompting concerns among fans and colleagues.

The actor subsequently shared an Instagram video describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru moved to Nigeria to pursue higher education. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.

He began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko, before gaining wider recognition for his role as Ahanna in Amaka Igwe’s 1995 production, Rattlesnake.

Over the years, Duru established himself as a respected figure in the Nigerian film industry, earning several honours for his contributions. In 2020, he won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa. He was also named a United Nations ambassador of peace.

Duru married Adokiye in 2003, and they had four children. The family suffered the loss of one of their children, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.

His death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose career spanned decades in Nollywood.