Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru dies aged 57 after brief illness

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died aged 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.

The family confirmed his death in a statement posted on his verified Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23: “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,” P.M. News reported.

The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, also confirmed the death on social media: “Another great thespian is gone. Rest in peace, Francis Duru.” Seun Oloketuyi, founder of the Best of Nollywood (BON) awards, added: “Francis Duru is dead. Details later,” Business Post reported.

Born on July 27, 1969, Duru built a career spanning more than three decades. He debuted in 1989 with Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko, and broke through as Ahanna in Amaka Igwe’s classic 1995 film Rattlesnake. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating in 1996 (Vanguard; NBG Africa).

Duru served as interim AGN president in 2010, received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007, and won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for Mboputa. His death comes four months after he publicly dismissed social-media rumours about his health as fabricated. The nature of the illness has not been disclosed. He is survived by his wife Adokiye and four children.