Veteran Nigerian 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 published on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, 23 October 2026.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement read.
The family also expressed appreciation to fans and well-wishers for their support during the difficult period, asking for prayers, love and understanding.
Duru was born on 27 July 1969 in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State. He later moved to Nigeria to pursue his university education, studying Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, where he graduated in 1996.
He began his acting career in 1989 with the film Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. However, he gained wider recognition in 1995 after playing Ahanna in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
Over the years, Duru established himself as a familiar face in Nollywood, appearing in several productions, including Blood Money, Stigma and Mboputa.
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 received recognition for his contributions to society and young people, including being named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace.
Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010 and was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards that year.
His death comes months after he dismissed reports about his health in June 2026. The reports followed the circulation of a video showing him looking frail. In response, the actor described the footage as fabricated and malicious.
The actor was married to Adokiye, and they had four children. The family also suffered the loss of their son, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.
Duru’s death marks another loss for Nigeria’s film industry, where he spent more than three decades contributing to the growth of Nollywood through his performances.
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