Veteran Nollywood Actor Francis Duru Dies at 57

Veteran Nigerian actor Francis Duru has reportedly passed away at the age of 57 after a short illness. His family confirmed the news in a statement shared on his official Instagram account on Friday. He is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and their children.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru entered the Nigerian film industry in 1989. He rose to prominence after portraying Ahanna in the 1995 classic Rattlesnake, a role that established him as a notable figure in Nollywood.

Throughout his career, Duru appeared in numerous films, including Blood Money (1997), Stigma (2013), and Mboputa (2020). 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 received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007. He also took on a leadership role within the Actors Guild of Nigeria, serving as the organisation’s interim president in 2010.

His reported death comes months after he publicly refuted social media claims that he was suffering from a life-threatening illness.