Sad News Hits Nollywood: Francis Duru Passes Away After Brief Illness

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.

The family disclosed the actor’s death in a statement shared on his official Instagram page early Friday, expressing gratitude to fans, friends and well-wishers for their prayers, love and understanding during the difficult period.

“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement read.

The family also prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul, asking for God’s comfort and strength as they mourn his death.

Duru’s passing comes months after he dismissed reports circulating on social media that he was suffering from a life-threatening illness. In June, the actor responded to widespread speculation after footage showing him looking frail sparked concern among fans and colleagues.

He subsequently shared a video on Instagram, describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious” and rejecting claims that he was battling a serious health condition.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in the country before relocating to Nigeria to pursue higher education.

He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.

The actor began his journey in the Nigerian film industry in 1989, appearing in Missing Mark, a movie directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. However, his breakthrough came in 1995 when he featured in Rattlesnake, the action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. His portrayal of Ahanna helped establish his reputation in the industry.

Over the years, Duru earned recognition for his contributions to Nigerian cinema and received several awards and honours. He was also named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace in recognition of his influence on young people.

In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.

Beyond his acting career, Duru was a family man. He married Adokiye in 2003, and the couple had four children. The family suffered a painful loss in August 2024 when one of their children, Ifeanyi, died.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the actor’s death marks a significant loss to Nollywood, where he built a lasting career through his performances and contributions to the Nigerian film industry.