Nigerian movie star Francis Duru has passed away at 57, with his family announcing his death after a brief illness.
The announcement was made on the actor’s official Instagram account early Friday, where his relatives expressed sadness over the loss and appealed for prayers and understanding from the public.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the family stated.
“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
The development comes months after Duru dismissed claims that he was battling a serious illness. In June, a video showing him looking weak circulated online, triggering speculation about his health.
The actor responded by posting a video on Instagram, describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious” and rejecting the reports surrounding his condition.
Born in Cameroon on July 27, 1969, Duru was the son of Nigerian parents from Imo State. He completed his early education in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria for university.
He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Duru entered the Nigerian movie industry in 1989 with Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. Although the film did not immediately establish him as a leading figure, he continued working towards building his acting career.
His profile rose in 1995 when he featured in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late Amaka Igwe. His portrayal of Ahanna in the movie brought him wider recognition and helped cement his place in Nollywood.
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Over the years, Duru received several honours for his contributions to film and youth development. He was named a United Nations ambassador of peace in recognition of his positive 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.
Beyond his career, Duru was married to Adokiye in 2003, and the couple had four children. Their family experienced a heartbreaking loss in August 2024 following the death of their child, Ifeanyi.