Nollywood Star Francis Duru Dies at 57 After Illness

Francis Duru, a veteran Nollywood actor, died in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, at the age of 57 after a brief illness. His family announced the news via his official verified Instagram page, expressing gratitude for the prayers and support received.

Duru was born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State. He completed his primary and secondary education in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria for university, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt in 1996.

Duru began his acting career in 1989 with the film "Missing Mark" and gained wider recognition in 1995 for his role as Ahanna in "Rattlesnake." He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2020 for his performance in "Mboputa." Duru married Adokiye in 2003 and had four children, one of whom, Ifeanyi, passed away in August 2024.