Veteran Nigerian actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57, his family has announced.
The family disclosed his death in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, saying he passed away after a brief illness.
“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.”
His death comes months after the actor dismissed reports circulating online that he was suffering from a life-threatening illness.
The rumours emerged in June after a video showing him looking frail spread across social media, prompting concern among fans and colleagues. Duru subsequently posted a video on Instagram, describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon, Duru was raised by Nigerian parents from Imo State. He completed his primary and secondary education in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria to pursue further studies.
He enrolled at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Prompt News reports Duru began his acting career in 1989 when he featured in Missing Mark, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. However, the role did not immediately bring him widespread recognition as he continued to build his place in the Nigerian film industry.
His breakthrough came in 1995 after he appeared in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. He played Ahanna in the film, a role that helped establish his reputation among Nollywood audiences.
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Throughout his career, Duru earned several awards and honours for his contributions to the entertainment industry. He was also 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.
The actor married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children together. The family suffered a loss in August 2024 when one of their children, Ifeanyi, died.
