Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru, best known for his role as Ahanna in the 1995 film Rattlesnake, has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness.
His family announced his death in a statement shared on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, expressing appreciation to fans and well-wishers for their support during the difficult period.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the family said.
“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
The announcement comes months after Duru dismissed social media reports claiming that he was battling a life-threatening illness.
In June, a video showing the actor looking frail circulated online, raising concerns among fans and colleagues about his health. Duru subsequently responded in a video posted on Instagram, describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in the country before moving to Nigeria for university studies.
He gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Duru began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. Although the production marked his entry into the industry, he gained wider recognition six years later through his performance in Rattlesnake.
The 1995 film, produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe, featured Duru as Ahanna, a role that helped establish him as a familiar face in the Nigerian film industry.
Throughout his career, the actor received recognition for his contributions to Nollywood. In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role in an Igbo-language film 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. His career spanned several decades, during which he featured in numerous Nigerian film productions.
Beyond acting, Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010. His involvement in the guild placed him among industry figures who contributed to its leadership and professional activities.
Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children together. The family suffered a painful loss in August 2024 when their son, Ifeanyi, died.
His death marks the loss of an actor whose performances helped shape Nollywood productions during the 1990s and subsequent decades.
As tributes emerge following the announcement, the family has yet to disclose further details about the circumstances of his death or funeral arrangements.
