Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has reportedly died at the age of 57, following a brief illness, according to a statement attributed to his family.
The reported death of the celebrated actor has sparked sadness across Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with tributes attributed to prominent figures in Nollywood expressing grief over the loss.
According to the statement shared on the actor’s verified Instagram page, the family announced his passing in the early hours of Friday, October 23, while expressing appreciation for the prayers, love and support they had received.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness. We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement read.
The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Yakubu, also reportedly confirmed the development in a social media post, paying tribute to the late actor.
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“Another great thespian is gone. Rest in peace, Francis Duru,” Yakubu wrote.
Similarly, Seun Oloketuyi, founder of the Best of Nollywood (BON) awards, reportedly announced Duru’s passing and indicated that further details would be communicated.
As of the time of this report, the nature of the illness had not been disclosed in the information provided, and no funeral arrangements were stated.
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Duru Had Earlier Addressed Health Rumours
The reported death comes months after the actor publicly addressed speculation about his health following the circulation of a video showing him appearing frail.
In June 2026, the footage generated widespread concern among fans and colleagues, with some social media users speculating that the veteran actor was battling a serious illness.
Duru subsequently responded in a video shared on Instagram, dismissing the claims and accusing those circulating the footage of spreading misleading information to attract online attention.
“I have never been that sick and will never be that sick. And by God’s grace, we keep being stronger and stronger,” he said at the time.
The actor also criticized those responsible for spreading the reports, describing them as “merchants of darkness” who allegedly exploited other people’s misfortunes to generate online traffic.
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His response followed growing concern from members of the public who had expressed anxiety about his appearance and wellbeing.
A Familiar Face in Nollywood
Francis Duru was a familiar face in Nigeria’s film industry, having built a career through numerous movie roles and performances that endeared him to audiences.
He became widely recognized for his role as Ahanna in the 1995 Nollywood classic Rattlesnake, directed by the late Amaka Igwe. The film remains an important title in discussions of the development of Nigeria’s modern film industry.
Over the years, Duru established himself as a seasoned performer, earning recognition for his contributions to Nigerian cinema and his work in different productions.
His career spanned several decades, during which he became known to audiences across different generations of Nollywood viewers.
Personal Loss and Family Life
Beyond his professional career, Duru also experienced a deeply painful family loss in 2024 when he announced the death of his teenage son, Ifeanyi.
The announcement drew an outpouring of sympathy from colleagues, fans and other members of the entertainment industry, many of whom offered prayers and words of encouragement to the actor and his family.
The reported news of Duru’s own passing has therefore raised renewed sadness among those who followed his personal journey as well as his work in the film industry.
Tributes Pour In
The reported confirmation from the Actors Guild of Nigeria and the announcement attributed to the Best of Nollywood founder have added to the expressions of grief surrounding the development.
For many fans, Duru’s passing would mark the loss of an experienced performer whose work formed part of Nollywood’s growth over several decades.
While further details about the circumstances surrounding his reported death and funeral arrangements remain awaited, messages of condolence have begun to reflect the impact he had on audiences and colleagues.
May his soul rest in peace.
