VETERAN NOLLYWOOD ACTOR, FRANCIS DURU, PASSES AWAY

October 23, 2026 • Dons Eze • 1 min read

Francis Duru died at the age of 57 following a brief illness.

His family announced this in a statement published on the actor’s Instagram page in the early hours of Friday.

“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 peace. Amen,” the statement read.

The announcement was also confirmed by the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Yakubu, in a post on the guild’s Instagram page.

Reacting to the development, Yakubu paid tribute to the late actor, describing his death as the loss of another great talent in the Nigerian film industry.

“Another great thespian is gone. Rest in peace, Francis Duru,” he wrote.

Duru was a veteran figure in Nollywood whose acting career spanned several productions in the Nigerian film industry. He was known for his performances in movies that contributed to his recognition among audiences.

He gained prominence through his role in the 1995 film Rattlesnake, one of the productions associated with his career in Nollywood.

Over the years, Duru featured in several Nigerian films, establishing himself as one of the actors who contributed to the development and growth of the country’s movie industry.

Dons Eze

DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.