Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 after a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family disclosed his death in a statement shared on the actor’s verified Instagram account on Friday, October 23, 2026, expressing grief over the loss and appealing for prayers and understanding during the mourning period.
The statement read, “We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness. We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, also confirmed the actor’s death, paying tribute to him as a great thespian and describing his passing as a loss to the Nigerian film industry.
Duru was one of Nollywood’s familiar faces, with a career spanning several decades.
He gained widespread recognition for his role as Ahanna in the 1995 action film Rattlesnake, directed by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
Born on July 27, 1969, the actor studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Over the years, he established himself as a respected figure in Nigeria’s film industry through his performances in numerous movies.
Beyond acting, Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010. He also worked as a master of ceremonies, consultant and voice-over artist, contributing to different aspects of the entertainment industry.
In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Lead Role in an Igbo-language Film award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
His death comes two years after he lost his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, in 2024, a tragedy he had publicly mourned.
The actor’s passing has added to the list of losses suffered by Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with colleagues and fans expected to continue paying tribute to his contributions to Nollywood.
Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of the time of filing this report.
