Veteran actor Francis Duru, has passed away at the age of 57.
The 57-year-old actor died after a brief illness, according to a statement released by his family on Friday morning.
The announcement was made on his verified Instagram page, where the family expressed gratitude to fans for their prayers and support.
“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 family wrote.
Duru’s passing comes just months after he debunked rumours about his health.
A video that surfaced in June showing him looking frail had raised alarm among fans and colleagues, prompting speculations that he was seriously ill.
The actor later addressed the concerns in an Instagram video, dismissing the clip as false and maliciously fabricated.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to parents from Imo State, Duru completed his early education in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria to study Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, where he graduated in 1996.
He made his acting debut in 1989 in Missing Mark by Ndubuisi Oko, but gained widespread recognition for his role as Ahanna in Amaka Igwe’s 1995 classic, Rattlesnake.
With a career spanning over three decades, Duru featured in several notable films and bagged multiple awards, including the UN Ambassador of Peace honour in 2007 and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for Mboputa.
He is survived by his wife, Adokiye, whom he married in 2003, and their children.
