Francis Duru, the acclaimed Nigerian actor, has died at the age of 57.
His family announced his passing in the early hours of Friday via his official Instagram page, stating that he died after a brief illness.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement read. “We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
In June, Duru publicly refuted viral reports suggesting he was suffering from a life-threatening illness. These rumours intensified after videos surfaced online showing him appearing frail, which sparked concern among fans and colleagues. Duru responded with an Instagram video, describing the circulating footage as “fabricated and malicious.”
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in Cameroon before relocating to Nigeria for university. He attended the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, where he earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts in 1996.
Duru began his career in Nollywood in 1989 with the film ‘Missing Mark,’ directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. Although this early role did not immediately propel him to fame, he rose to prominence in 1995 with his performance as Ahanna in the action-comedy ‘Rattlesnake,’ produced by the late Amaka Igwe.
Throughout his career, Duru received numerous accolades, including being named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace for his positive influence on youth. In 2020, he won ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo)’ at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his role in ‘Mboputa.’
Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003. The couple had four children, but tragically lost one, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.
