By Iroyin Yoruba Television
LAGOS, Nigeria — October 23, 2026
Nollywood has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Nigerian actor Francis Duru at the age of 57 after a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family confirmed his passing in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23. It thanked fans, friends and well-wishers for their prayers and support but did not disclose the specific nature of the illness or provide details about his burial arrangements.
Duru’s death brings to an end a screen career spanning more than three decades, during which he became a familiar face in Nigerian cinema and earned recognition for his performances in films and television productions.
He was particularly remembered for playing Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the 1995 film produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. The production helped establish his reputation among audiences and remains one of the notable works associated with his career.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his early education there before moving to Nigeria for university studies. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating in 1996.
He began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. Over the years, he appeared in several productions, including Blood Money, Stigma and Mboputa. His performance in Mboputa earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards.
Beyond his work on screen, Duru also contributed to activities within the Nigerian film industry. In 2010, he served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. He was named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace in 2007 in recognition of his influence on young people.
His death has also revived public attention to his earlier response to rumours about his health. In June 2026, Duru rejected claims circulating online that he was critically ill, describing the material being shared about his condition as false. His family has not indicated whether the illness mentioned in its latest announcement was connected to those earlier reports.
Duru was married to Adokiye, whom he married in 2003, and they had four children. The family experienced a major loss in August 2024 when their son Ifeanyi died.
As tributes emerge from colleagues and admirers, Duru is being remembered for his long involvement in Nollywood and his contribution to an industry that has grown significantly during his years as an actor.
The family has asked for prayers and understanding as it mourns his passing. Further details about funeral arrangements and memorial activities had not been announced in the reports reviewed for this article.
Duru’s death marks a significant loss for Nigerian film audiences and colleagues who followed his work across generations of Nollywood productions.