Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family confirmed his death in a statement posted on the actor’s verified Instagram account, @francis.duru, in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026.
“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 statement read.
Duru’s death comes four months after he dismissed reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness.
The reports emerged after a video showing the actor looking frail circulated on social media, sparking concerns about his health.
However, Duru had described the claims arising from the footage as false and malicious, urging the public to disregard them.
The actor was widely known for his portrayal of Ahanna in the 1995 film Rattlesnake, produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
His performance in the film earned him recognition among Nigerian movie audiences and helped establish his place in the country’s film industry.
In 2020, Duru won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
His career in Nollywood spanned more than three decades, during which he became a familiar face in Nigerian cinema. His death marks the loss of one of the industry’s veteran actors.