Veteran Nollywood Actor Francis Duru Passes Away at 57

Francis Duru, a prominent Nollywood actor, passed away at the age of 57 following a brief illness. His family confirmed his death in a statement on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026.

They expressed their grief and gratitude for the support received from fans and well-wishers. Duru was best known for his role as Ahanna in Amaka Igwe’s 1995 film, which significantly raised his profile in the Nigerian film industry.

He began his acting career in 1989 and had a successful career spanning more than three decades, featuring in various productions. Duru served as the interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010 and was awarded the United Nations Ambassador of Peace in 2007.

In 2020, he received the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards. Earlier in 2026, he had dismissed rumors about a life-threatening illness, calling them false.

The family did not provide further details about the illness that led to his death.