Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru, known for his role in the 1995 film Rattlesnake, has died at the age of 57, his family has announced.

Duru died following a brief illness, according to a statement posted on his official Instagram page on Friday. The family did not disclose the nature of the illness.

“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement said, thanking fans and well-wishers for their prayers and support.

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru later moved to Nigeria for his university education. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1996.

Decades-long career

He began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, directed by Nigerian filmmaker Ndubuisi Oko. He rose to prominence in 1995 for his portrayal of Ahanna in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by filmmaker Amaka Igwe.

Duru went on to feature in numerous Nigerian film productions during a career spanning more than three decades. In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa. He was also named a United Nations ambassador of peace in recognition of his influence on young people.

In 2010, Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, the professional association representing actors in the country's film industry.

His death comes months after he dismissed social media reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness. In June, after a video showing him looking frail circulated online, he described the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.

Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003. The couple had four children, one of whom, Ifeanyi, died in August 2024.