Nollywood Star Francis Duru Passes Away at 57

Francis Duru, a veteran Nollywood actor, has passed away at the age of 57. His family announced his death on his official Instagram page, stating that he died following a brief illness.

The announcement expressed gratitude for the prayers and support received, wishing for his soul to rest in peace. In June, Duru had denied rumors about battling a life-threatening illness, which arose after footage of him in a frail condition circulated on social media.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to parents from Imo State, Nigeria, Duru completed his education in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria for higher studies at the University of Port Harcourt, where he earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts in 1996. He entered the Nigerian film industry in 1989 with 'Missing Mark' but gained significant recognition in 1995 with 'Rattlesnake.' Duru was honored as a United Nations ambassador of peace and won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award in 2020 for 'Mboputa.' He married Adokiye in 2003 and had four children, including one who passed away in August 2024.