Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has reportedly died at 57 after a brief illness, according to a statement released by his family on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The family announced the news on his verified Instagram page but did not disclose the specific illness or circumstances surrounding his death. Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), also confirmed the news and paid tribute to the late actor.
Duru was a familiar face in Nollywood for more than three decades, becoming widely known for his portrayal of Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the classic film produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. He appeared in several other productions and won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
His family had suffered a painful loss in August 2024 when his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, died. Duru later spoke publicly about the grief of losing his child.
In June 2026, the actor had also dismissed online rumours claiming he was critically ill, describing a viral video about his supposed condition as false and misleading. There is, however, no verified evidence linking those earlier rumours to the illness mentioned in the family’s announcement.
Born on July 27, 1969, Duru married Adokiye Duru in 2003. His family has yet to announce burial arrangements.
His reported death marks a significant loss for Nollywood and audiences who have followed his work over the years.
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