Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family confirmed his death in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page on Friday, October 23, 2026, as they thanked fans and well-wishers for their support.
“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.”
The family did not disclose the nature of the illness or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Francis Duru’s career in Nollywood
Duru was one of the familiar faces in Nigeria’s film industry, with a career spanning more than three decades.
According to the Nigerian Copyright Commission, he made his acting debut in 1989 before gaining prominence for his performance as Ahanna in the 1995 film Rattlesnake, produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
The role helped establish his place in Nollywood, and he went on to feature in numerous productions, including Blood Money (1997), Stigma (2013) and Mboputa (2020).
Duru studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
His contribution to the entertainment industry was recognised in 2007 when he received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace Award for his influence on young people.
In 2010, he was appointed interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. He also won the Best Actor in a Leading Role in an Igbo-language film award at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
Francis Duru’s health rumours
The actor’s death comes months after he addressed speculation about his health following the circulation of footage showing him looking frail on social media in June.
According to reports by Nigerian media outlets, Duru dismissed claims that he was battling a life-threatening illness, describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious” in a video shared on Instagram.
His family has now confirmed that he died following a brief illness, although it has not disclosed further medical details.
Duru is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and their children. His death marks the loss of an actor whose work spanned several decades of Nigerian film and television.
