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Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has reportedly died at 57 following a brief illness.
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His family and the Actors Guild of Nigeria announced his death on Friday, October 23, 2026.
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Duru began his acting career in 1989 and served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010.
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His reported death comes two years after he lost his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi.
October 23, (THEWILL) – Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has reportedly died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, according to statements attributed to his family and prominent figures in Nigeria’s film industry.
The actor’s death was announced in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, by the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Yakubu, in a Facebook post.
“Another great thespian is gone. Rest in peace, Francis Duru,” Yakubu wrote.
Seun Oloketuyi, founder of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, also announced the development on social media, writing, “Francis Duru is dead. Details later.”
A statement from Duru’s family, shared on his verified Instagram account, announced that the actor died after a brief illness.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness. We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding,” the statement read.
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The family did not disclose the nature of the illness or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Born on July 27, 1969, Duru was among the longstanding figures in Nigeria’s film industry, with an acting career spanning more than three decades.
A graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, he began his career in 1989 and appeared in numerous Nigerian films, establishing himself as a familiar face among Nollywood audiences.
Beyond acting, Duru was involved in theatre, consultancy and professional activities within the entertainment industry.
In 2010, he served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, contributing to the organisation’s leadership during a transitional period.
His reported death comes months after he publicly dismissed speculation about his health following concerns raised by fans over his physical appearance on a film set.
At the time, Duru denied suggestions that he was terminally ill.
The development also comes two years after the actor suffered a personal tragedy following the death of his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi.
Duru announced his son’s death in an emotional Instagram post and subsequently spoke publicly about coping with the loss while continuing his professional and personal responsibilities.
He had maintained that despite the emotional impact of the tragedy, he remained active in acting, theatre and other engagements.
Duru is survived by his family. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
Segun Adeyemi serves as the Associate Editor of THEWILL Newspaper, leveraging more than ten years of editorial expertise and a proven track record in mainstream journalism.
