Veteran Nigerian actor Francis Duru has reportedly died at the age of 57, bringing an end to a film career that spanned more than three decades.
Duru began acting in 1989 but gained widespread recognition in 1995 for his role as Ahanna in Rattlesnake, a film directed by the late Amaka Igwe. The performance helped establish him as one of Nollywood’s recognisable faces.
He went on to feature in several productions, including Blood Money, The Good Husband, Mboputa and Blood Vessel, earning a reputation for his versatility across different roles.
Beyond acting, Duru contributed to the industry’s administration, serving as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010.
His work also earned him recognition, including the United Nations Ambassador of Peace Award in 2007. In 2020, he won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
Duru was also involved in directing and television production, expanding his contributions to Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
