Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at 57 after a brief illness, his family has announced.

The family announced his death in a statement posted on his verified Instagram account in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026.

“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement read.

The family expressed appreciation for the support and prayers received, adding, “May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

Duru’s death comes about four months after he dismissed reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness.

The reports followed the circulation of a social media video showing the actor looking frail. He subsequently described the claims as false and malicious and urged the public to disregard them.

The actor gained widespread recognition for playing Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the 1995 film produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.

He also won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.

Duru’s career in the Nigerian film industry spanned more than three decades, establishing him as one of Nollywood’s familiar faces.