Hours After Francis Duru’s Death Emerged, Another Nollywood Actor Reportedly Passes Away

The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into fresh mourning following the reported death of actor, producer and director Steven Echendu, coming just hours after news of veteran actor Francis Duru’s death emerged.

According to P.M News on Friday, Echendu’s death became public after his colleague, Wisdom Nwankwo, paid an emotional tribute to him on Facebook, revealing that he learnt of the actor’s passing on Thursday.

Expressing his grief over the development, Nwankwo described Echendu as one of the veterans who contributed to Nollywood’s growth during its formative years, particularly through his association with OJs Production.

“Oh Steven Real Stephen Echendu, it’s so painful to also learn of your passing yesterday,” Nwankwo wrote.

The filmmaker’s tribute reflected the shock and sadness surrounding the successive losses in the entertainment industry. He also mourned Austinfair Nwaulu, a media professional associated with Nollywood, who he said died on Saturday and was buried on Tuesday.

Lamenting the deaths within a short period, Nwankwo wrote, “Just a space of five days, oh Lord let your will always prevail.”

Although some media reports indicated that Echendu had been battling an undisclosed illness, details surrounding the circumstances of his death remained unclear as of Friday. His age and medical history had also not been publicly confirmed.

Known professionally as Steve Echendu, the late actor worked across acting, producing and directing, earning recognition among colleagues for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry. 

His career spanned an era when Nollywood’s home-video productions were gaining popularity and expanding their reach among audiences.

His screen credits include Knockout Blessing (2018), Fury (2019) and Infant at Heart (2024), reflecting his involvement in different film productions.

Echendu’s reported death has deepened the grief in Nollywood following the announcement of Duru’s passing on Friday. 

The veteran actor’s death had already triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and other entertainment industry figures.

The successive reports of the deaths have cast a sombre mood over the industry, with colleagues remembering the contributions of those who helped shape Nigerian filmmaking and expressing condolences to their families and loved ones.

Newstrend24 feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com