Gambiaj.com – (LAGOS, NIGERIA) – Veteran Nigerian actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 after a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family confirmed his death in a statement posted on Duru’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, expressing gratitude to fans and well-wishers for their prayers and support.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement said. “We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
Duru’s death comes months after he publicly rejected reports that he was critically ill. In June, the actor condemned videos circulating online about his health, describing them as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
He said he had never been in the condition portrayed in the videos and criticized those responsible for spreading what he described as false information about his well-being.
Duru also raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to manipulate images and videos of public figures. He accused some individuals of using the technology to manufacture false narratives, misrepresent people’s lives, and damage their reputations.
He described those behind the fabricated content as “merchants of wickedness” and urged the public not to believe the reports, insisting at the time that he remained healthy and active.
Career and Breakthrough
Born in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education there before returning to Nigeria. He later studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, earning a bachelor’s degree.
He began his acting career in 1989 in “Missing Mark”, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. The film, however, did not immediately bring him the recognition he sought.
His major breakthrough came in 1995 when he played Ahanna in “Rattlesnake”, an action comedy produced by the late Amaka Igwe. The role established him as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding film industry.
Over the course of his career, Duru appeared in numerous films, including “Ugly Bird”, “Abigail’s Memoir”, “Blood Vessel”, “The Locals”, “The Good Husband”, “Mboputa”, “Why Not?”, “Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons”, “Who Killed Chief?”, “Lipstick”, “Mortuary Gate”, “Stigma”, “Home in Exile” and “Nnenda”.
Family and Recognition
Duru married Adokiye in 2003 after the two met as undergraduates at the University of Port Harcourt. They had four children.
The family suffered a major loss in August 2024 when their 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, died.
Duru was recognized for his contribution to society and youth development, receiving the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007.
In 2010, he was appointed interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. That same year, he was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
His death marks the loss of an actor whose career spanned more than three decades and whose work became part of the development of Nigeria’s modern film industry.
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