The family of veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru announced his death on his official Instagram page early Friday morning. According to the statement, the thespian passed away following a brief illness.
“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.”
In June, Duru had publicly denied circulating reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness. Those rumours intensified after footage of him appearing frail spread widely on social media, prompting concern among fans and colleagues. He responded with an Instagram video dismissing the clips as “fabricated and malicious.”
Born on 27 July 1969 in Cameroon to parents from Imo State, Nigeria, Duru completed his primary and secondary education there before moving to Nigeria for university. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt and graduated with a B.A. in 1996.
He entered the Nigerian film industry in 1989 with a role in Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. Greater recognition came in 1995 when he appeared in Amaka Igwe’s action-comedy Rattlesnake, playing the notable character Ahanna.
Over the course of his career he received multiple awards and honours, including being named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace for his positive influence on young people. In 2020 he won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in *Mboputa
Duru married Adokiye in 2003; the couple had four children. They lost their son Ifeanyi in August 2024.
SNOW TV EDITORIAL ANALYSIS
Francis Duru’s quiet resilience and commitment to authentic storytelling leave a lasting imprint on Nollywood. In an industry often driven by fleeting trends, his body of work—and the dignity with which he faced personal and procession challenges—stands as a reminder of the craft’s deeper purpose. May his legacy continue to inspire a new generation of actors.
Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Nigerian Media Personality, Music Artist, Producer, Blogger and a Relationship Coach. He is a publisher specializing in Nigerian current affairs, politics, and lifestyle news. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV} he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
