Nigeria: Nollywood Actor Francis Duru is Dead

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru is dead.

His family announced his demise on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, saying he died after a brief illness.

“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 post read.

In June, the actor had refuted widespread reports that claimed he was battling a life-threatening illness. The rumours gained momentum after footage of him looking frail began circulating widely on social media, sparking worry among fans and colleagues.

In response, Duru posted an Instagram video in which he described the footage as “fabricated and malicious.”

Duru was born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to parents of Nigerian descent from Imo State. He finished his primary and secondary schooling in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria for his university education.

He was admitted to the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and obtained a B.A. degree in 1996.

He began his career in the Nigerian film industry in 1989 with the movie ‘Missing Mark,’ directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. At the time, his role in the film did little to boost his career as he was still regarded as an up-and-coming actor.

He earned wider recognition in 1995 after appearing in ‘Rattlesnake,’ an action-comedy produced by the late Amaka Igwe, where he played the character Ahanna.

Throughout his career, Duru earned numerous awards and honours. He was named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace in recognition of his positive 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’.

Duru married his wife Adokiye in 2003, and the couple had four children. They lost one of their children, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.