Nollywood Actor Francis Duru Dies, Family Confirms
Kehinde Adeleye
Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died following a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family disclosed his death in a statement published on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, expressing appreciation to those who supported them with prayers and goodwill.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement read.
“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports alleging that he was battling a life-threatening illness.
The rumours gained traction in June after footage showing the actor looking frail circulated widely on social media, raising concerns among fans and colleagues.
However, Duru responded with an Instagram video in which he described the footage as “fabricated and malicious”, rejecting reports about 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 university studies.
He attended the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
The actor began his career in the Nigerian film industry in 1989, featuring in Missing Mark, a movie directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.
However, he gained wider recognition in 1995 after starring in Rattlesnake, an action comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. His portrayal of Ahanna in the film helped establish his place in Nollywood.
Over the years, Duru earned recognition for his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry. He was named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace in recognition of his influence on young people.
In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children together. The family suffered a painful loss in August 2024 when one of their children, Ifeanyi, died.
His death marks the loss of an actor whose career spanned decades in Nigeria’s film industry.
