Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.   The family confirmed his death in a statement published on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, 23 October 2026. “We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement read. The family also expressed appreciation for the prayers, love and understanding shown during the period, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul. Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports circulating on social media that he was battling a life-threatening illness. In June, the actor addressed the rumours after a video showing him looking frail went viral, sparking concern among fans and colleagues. He described the footage as “fabricated and malicious” in a video shared on Instagram. Francis Duru’s Acting Career Born on 27 July 1969 in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in the country before moving to Nigeria to pursue higher education. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996. Duru entered the Nigerian film industry in 1989 with Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. However, he gained wider recognition in 1995 after starring in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late Amaka Igwe. He played Ahanna in the film, a role that helped establish his presence in Nollywood. Throughout his career, Duru received several awards and honours for his contributions to the entertainment industry. He was named a United Nations ambassador of peace in recognition of his influence on young people. In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa. Family Life Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children together. The family suffered a devastating loss in August 2024 when their son, Ifeanyi, died at the age of 15. His death marks the loss of an actor whose career spanned decades in the Nigerian film industry.