Veteran Nollywood actor, Francis Duru, has passed away at the age of 57.
His family officially confirmed his death through a statement shared on his verified Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, stating that he passed away following a brief illness.
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), Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, also confirmed the death, writing: “Another great thespian gone… Rest in peace Francis Duru!!”
Duru, born July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, was one of Nollywood’s most enduring faces. A Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Port Harcourt (1996), he began his career in 1989 with _Missing Mark_ and became a household name for his iconic role as Ahanna in the 1995 classic _Rattlesnake_, produced by late Amaka Igwe.
With a career spanning over three decades, he featured in classics including _Blood Money, Home in Exile, Stigma_ and _Mboputa_, which earned him Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards. He was interim president of the AGN in 2010 and was honoured as United Nations Ambassador of Peace in 2007.
His death comes just over a year after he lost his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.
Fans, colleagues, and members of the Actors Guild have taken to social media to express shock and pay tribute to the veteran actor, remembering his decades-long contributions to the Nigerian film industry.
He is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and children.
