Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness.
The actor’s family confirmed his death in a statement published on his verified Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, 23 October 2026.
The family expressed sadness over his passing and appreciated fans and well-wishers for their prayers, love and understanding during the difficult 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.”
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Yakubu, also confirmed the death of the veteran actor, whose career spanned more than three decades.
Duru studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, where he graduated in 1996. He rose to prominence after playing Ahanna in the 1995 Nollywood classic Rattlesnake, directed by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
His performance in the film established him as a familiar face in the Nigerian movie industry and helped secure his place among Nollywood’s recognised actors.
Over the years, Duru built a career across film and other creative productions, earning respect for his contributions to the entertainment industry.
He was also recognised as a United Nations Ambassador of Peace for his youth advocacy work.
His death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose work contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry.
