Francis Duru, Veteran Nollywood Actor, Dies at 57
Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 after a brief illness, according to a statement from his family. The Guardian Nigeria reports that the family posted the announcement on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026.
What the family and guild said
The family said they “regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” according to The Guardian Nigeria. Wikipedia lists his death as October 22, but the family statement was posted on October 23, so this article reports the announcement date. AllAfrica reports that the family did not give details of burial arrangements, and none had been published in the sources reviewed.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria confirmed his death in an Instagram post alongside its president, Abubakar Yakubu, according to allAfrica. The guild called him a great thespian. The founder of the Best of Nollywood Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, also confirmed the news, allAfrica adds.
Tributes from colleagues
MyJoyOnline reports that Kanayo O. Kanayo paid tribute on Instagram, calling Duru “a consummate actor” and one of Nigeria’s most versatile and prolific performers. Actress Stephanie Linus described his death as heartbreaking and prayed for strength for his family, the outlet says.
Career highlights
NTA says Duru built a career of more than three decades and was best known for playing Ahanna in Amaka Igwe’s 1995 film Rattlesnake. Sahara Reporters describes him as an actor, director and filmmaker.
According to allAfrica, he began acting in 1989 in Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. In 2010, the same report says, he was appointed interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
The Guardian Nigeria says he won Best Actor in a Leading Role in an Igbo-language film at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for Mboputa.
Early life and family
The Guardian Nigeria reports that Duru was born in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, and later moved to Nigeria for university. AllAfrica says he met his wife, Adokiye, at the University of Port Harcourt and married her in 2003. Yen reports that the couple had four children.
The Guardian and MyJoyOnline note that his death comes two years after he lost his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, in August 2024. That loss drew wide sympathy from colleagues and fans.
Quick timeline:
- 1989: Begins acting career with Missing Mark, per allAfrica.
- 1995: Plays Ahanna in Rattlesnake.
- 2010: Appointed interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria.
- 2020: Wins Best of Nollywood Award for Mboputa.
- October 23, 2026: Family announces his death.
What happens next
The family has not announced funeral plans in the sources reviewed, and the exact cause of death has not been given beyond a brief illness. Readers should watch the actor’s official Instagram page and the Actors Guild of Nigeria for confirmed updates on burial and tributes.
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