Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.

The family disclosed his death in a statement posted on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, expressing gratitude to fans and well-wishers for their support and prayers.

“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 statement read.

Duru is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and their children. His death comes months after he dismissed reports in June that he was battling a life-threatening illness, describing footage circulated online as false.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria. He later studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.

He began his acting career in 1989 with the film Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. Duru rose to prominence through his portrayal of Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the 1995 film produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, he appeared in numerous Nigerian productions, including Blood Money (1997), Stigma (2013) and Mboputa (2020).

His performance in Mboputa earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards. He also received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 in recognition of his influence on young people.

Beyond acting, Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010. In the same year, he was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, further cementing his place in the Nigerian film industry.