Nigerian Actor Francis Duru Dies at 57

The Merit Newspaper

Imo State -October 23, 2026

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

The family disclosed his death in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, expressing grief over the loss of the Nollywood star.

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

The family also appreciated fans, friends and well-wishers for their prayers, love and support during the difficult period, while praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.

Duru was one of the familiar faces in Nigeria’s movie industry, with an acting career spanning more than three decades. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the 1995 classic film produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru later moved to Nigeria for his university education. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, graduating in 1996.

The Merit Newspaper reports that Throughout his career, he featured in several Nollywood productions, including Missing Mark, Blood Money, Stigma and Mboputa. His performance in Mboputa earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards.

Beyond acting, Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010 and received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 in recognition of his contributions to society.

His death comes two years after the loss of his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, in August 2024. His passing has brought renewed mourning to Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with colleagues, fans and admirers remembering his contributions to Nollywood. Funeral arrangements had not been announced in the family’s initial statement.