Precious Nwonu, Enugu
Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 after a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family disclosed his death in a statement posted on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, thanking fans and well-wishers for their prayers and support.
“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.
His death comes months after the actor dismissed speculation about his health following the circulation of a video showing him looking frail on social media in June.
Duru had described the footage as “fabricated and malicious” in a video he shared on Instagram, rejecting reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his early education there before moving to Nigeria for his university studies.
He attended the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Duru began his acting career in 1989, featuring in *Missing Mark*, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.
He rose to wider prominence in 1995 after playing Ahanna in *Rattlesnake*, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
Over the years, Duru earned recognition for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry and his influence on younger people. He was also named a United Nations ambassador of peace.
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 his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children. The family suffered the loss of one of their children, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.
Duru’s death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose career spanned several decades in Nollywood.
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