Nollywood veteran actor, Francis Duru has reportedly at the age of 57 after a brief illness.
His family announced his death in a statement shared on the late thespian’s official Instagram page on Friday morning.
The family thanked fans and well-wishers for their prayers, love and support, also requested some privacy in this difficult time.
“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.
His death comes months after Duru refuted claims that he was suffering from a life-threatening illness.
In June, a video showing the actor appearing frail circulated on social media, prompting concern among his fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Reacting to the reports, Duru posted a video on Instagram in which he described the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru received his primary and secondary education in the country before moving to Nigeria for further studies.
He later gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Duru started his acting career in 1989, appearing in Missing Mark, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.
He rose to wider prominence in 1995 after playing Ahanna in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
Over the years, the actor earned several awards and recognitions for his contributions to Nollywood. He was also appointed a United Nations ambassador of peace in recognition of his influence on young people.
In 2020, Duru won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) category at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
He married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and the couple had four children. However, the family suffered the loss of one of their children, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.