Nollywood Star Francis Duru Passes Away at 57

Francis Duru, a veteran Nollywood actor, passed away at the age of 57 after a brief illness on October 23, 2026, at the National Hospital Abuja. His family confirmed his death via a statement on his official Instagram page.

Born Francis Ogide Duru on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon, he hailed from Okai, Eziama, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. Duru studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996, and later obtained a master’s degree in Development Communication from Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

He began his acting career in 1989 and gained prominence for his role as Ahanna in the 1995 film Rattlesnake. His filmography includes notable works such as Blood Money (1997), Home in Exile (2010), and Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018).

Duru received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace Award in 2007 and served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010. He was married to Adokiye Duru and had two children.