Francis Duru, the veteran Nollywood actor who captured African audiences for decades, has died at age 57 following a brief illness, his family announced early Friday.
The news was confirmed in a statement posted to the actor’s verified Francis Duru Instagram Page on Oct. 23, 2026.
“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.”
The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Yakubu, also paid tribute to the late actor on social media, writing, “Another great thespian is gone.”
Duru’s passing comes just months after he publicly dismissed online rumours regarding his health.
In June 2026, after video footage showing him looking frail circulated widely on social media, Duru released a video statement rejecting the claims and calling the footage fabricated.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt in 1996.
He made his feature film debut in the 1989 movie Missing Mark, but achieved widespread prominence across Africa for his breakout role as Ahanna in Amaka Igwe’s 1995 Nollywood classic, Rattlesnake.
Overreach his multi-decade career, Duru became one of the industry’s most respected figures, winning the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) category at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2020.
He was also designated a United Nations Ambassador of Peace in 2007 for his humanitarian work and mentorship of young people.
Duru is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and their children.
The family faced tragedy just two years prior when their youngest son, Ifeanyi, died in August 2024 at age 15.