Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness. His family announced his death in a statement posted on his official Instagram page, thanking fans and well-wishers for their prayers, love and support. Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness. […]
Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness.
His family announced his death in a statement posted on his official Instagram page, thanking fans and well-wishers for their prayers, love and support.
Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness. Concerns had emerged in June after a video showing the actor looking frail circulated on social media.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru later moved to Nigeria, where he studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt.
He began his acting career in 1989 and gained wider recognition following his appearance in the 1995 film Rattlesnake, produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
Duru went on to become one of Nollywood’s prominent actors, receiving several awards and honours for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry.
In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role, Igbo, award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa. He was also named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace.
Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children. The family lost one of their children, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.
ADBN TV is a dynamic digital broadcasting platform committed to delivering credible news, inspiring stories, and engaging programmes that inform, educate, and connect communities across Nigeria and beyond.
