Renowned Nigerian actor Francis Duru has passed away at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family confirmed.
In an early Friday update shared on the actor’s official Instagram account, his family expressed gratitude to the public for their prayers, love, and understanding during this difficult time.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the post reads.
“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
His passing comes a few months after he publicly dismissed viral reports claiming he was battling a critical condition. The rumors had gained momentum in June after video footage showing him looking frail circulated online, causing widespread concern among fans and colleagues. Addressing the speculation at the time, Duru posted a video on Instagram refuting the claims and describing the clip as “fabricated and malicious”.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to parents from Imo State, Nigeria, Duru spent his early years in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria for higher education. He attended the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts in 1996.
Duru began his career in Nollywood in 1989 with a role in Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. Though the debut did not immediately launch him into the spotlight, he achieved major breakthrough recognition in 1995 for his performance as Ahanna in the classic action-comedy Rattlesnake, directed by the late Amaka Igwe.
Throughout his distinguished career, Duru earned several accolades and honors. He was appointed a United Nations Peace Ambassador for his positive influence on young people, and in 2020, he won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and the couple was blessed with four children. The family suffered a painful loss in August 2024 following the death of their son, Ifeanyi.
