Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has reportedly passed away at 57 following a brief illness.
His family announced the sad news on Friday, October 23, 2026, in a statement shared on his verified Instagram page.
According to the family, the respected actor was ill for a short period before his passing. The exact illness and circumstances of his death were not disclosed.
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, also confirmed the news and paid tribute to him.
Francis Duru was a familiar face in Nollywood for more than three decades. He became widely known for playing Ahanna in the classic movie Rattlesnake, produced by the late Amaka Igwe.
He featured in many other films and received several honours, including Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for Mboputa.
Sadly, the family has already endured a heartbreaking loss.
In August 2024, Duru lost his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi. He later spoke openly about the pain of losing his child.
In June 2026, rumours circulated online claiming the actor was critically ill. He publicly denied those claims at the time, describing a viral video about his supposed condition as false and misleading.
Four months later, his family has now reportedly announced his death after a brief illness. There is no verified evidence connecting those earlier rumours to the illness mentioned in the family’s statement.
Born on July 27, 1969, Francis Duru married Adokiye Duru in
2003. His family has yet to announce burial arrangements.
This is another painful loss for Nollywood and for fans who grew up watching his movies. His work and contribution to the Nigerian film industry will not be forgotten.
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