Veteran Nollywood Actor Francis Duru has died at 57 after brief illness.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced, prompting tributes from colleagues and members of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
The family announced his death in a statement posted on the actor’s verified Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026.
“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 confirmed the actor’s death in a social media post.
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“Another great thespian is gone. Rest in peace, Francis Duru,” Yakubu wrote. Seun Oloketuyi, founder of the Best of Nollywood Awards, equally announced the actor’s passing, saying further details would follow.
Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness. In June 2026, a video showing him looking frail circulated on social media, prompting concern among fans and colleagues.
The actor subsequently released a video on Instagram denying the reports and criticising those he accused of spreading false information about his health.
“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.
Amid the tributes, a heartfelt message Duru shared with his wife, Adokiye, during their 23rd wedding anniversary has resurfaced, drawing attention to their relationship and family life.
In the message, the actor expressed gratitude for his wife’s patience, sacrifices and commitment to their family over more than two decades of marriage.
“It’s 23 years stuck together, glued together…looks like yesterday,” he wrote.
He also described her as their “anchor” and “strong tower”, thanking her for her contributions to their marriage and family.
“DOX THANK YOU SO MUCH for making it so worthwhile… your tolerance, perseverance, your endless sacrifice for the family… father in all YOU REMAIN OUR ANCHOR… OUR STRONG TOWER,” he wrote.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru began his acting career in 1989 in Missing Mark, directed by the late filmmaker Ndubuisi Oko.
He rose to prominence in 1995 for his portrayal of Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the acclaimed film produced by the late Amaka Igwe. The role helped establish him as a familiar face in Nollywood during the industry’s formative years.
Across a career spanning more than three decades, Duru appeared in numerous film and television productions. 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 in recognition of his influence on young people.
Away from the screen, Duru was devoted to his family. He married Adokiye in 2003, and they had four children. The family suffered the loss of their son, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.
His death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose work helped shape Nigerian popular entertainment. As tributes continue to emerge, his decades-long contribution to Nollywood and his personal messages of love and gratitude are drawing renewed attention.
The family has not disclosed further details about the illness or announced funeral arrangements.
