Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness.
The actor’s family announced his death in a statement shared on his verified Instagram account, expressing sadness over his passing and appreciating supporters for their love, prayers and understanding during the difficult period.
The statement read, “We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness.”
The family did not disclose the specific illness that led to his death or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding his passing.
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, also announced the actor’s death in a social media post, paying tribute to him as a great thespian.
Seun Oloketuyi, founder of the Best of Nollywood Awards, equally confirmed the development, indicating that further details would follow.
Duru’s death comes approximately four months after he addressed rumours about his health circulating on social media.
In June 2026, the actor dismissed reports suggesting that he was suffering from a serious or terminal illness. In a video shared online, he challenged the claims and reassured fans that the reports did not accurately reflect his condition.
Born on July 27, 1969, Duru began his acting career in 1989 and became one of the familiar faces in Nigeria’s film industry. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt and built a career spanning more than three decades.
Over the years, he earned recognition for his performances in Nollywood productions and his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry. He also served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010.
Beyond his professional career, Duru experienced a personal tragedy in August 2024 when he lost his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi. The actor publicly mourned the teenager and continued to pay tribute to him in subsequent months.
Francis Duru was married to Adokiye Duru, and they had four children.
His death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose career spanned several decades in Nollywood.
