Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced, SavannahNewsnow Reports.
The family announced his death in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, while expressing gratitude to fans and well-wishers for their prayers, love and support.
“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement read.
Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports alleging that he was battling a life-threatening illness. The rumours gained traction on social media following the circulation of a video in which the actor appeared frail, prompting widespread concern among fans and colleagues.
Reacting to the reports in June, the actor described the footage as “fabricated and malicious,” denying the claims surrounding his health.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in the country before moving to Nigeria for his university education.
He gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt, 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 Ndubuisi Oko. However, he rose to prominence in 1995 after starring as Ahanna in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
Over the years, he established himself as one of Nollywood’s recognised actors, earning acclaim for his versatility and contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Beyond acting, Duru was also recognised for his contributions to society, including receiving the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in recognition of his positive influence on young people.
In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) category at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
His death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose work spanned decades and contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry.
