Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru, best known for his role as Ahanna in the classic film Rattlesnake, has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness.
His family announced 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 prayers and support.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement said.
The family added: “We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
Duru is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and their children.
His death marks the loss of one of the familiar faces of Nigerian cinema, whose career spanned more than three decades.
He rose to prominence through his portrayal of Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the 1995 film produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. The performance helped establish him as a recognised actor in Nollywood.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.
He later studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Over the years, he featured in several films, 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.
Duru also received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 for his influence on young people. In 2010, he served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
His death comes months after he publicly dismissed reports in June that he was battling a life-threatening illness. In a video posted on Instagram, he described the circulating footage linked to the claims as false and criticised those spreading it.
His death has brought to a close a career that began in the late 1980s and spanned several generations of Nigerian filmmaking.