Nollywood actor Francis Duru, who rose to prominence as Ahanna in Rattlesnake, has died at 57 after a brief illness.
The family announced his death on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, thanking fans and well-wishers for their prayers, love and support.
“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.
The actor gained widespread recognition for his role as Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the 1995 film produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
He began his acting career in 1989 and remained active in Nollywood for decades.
His death comes months after he dismissed reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness.
In June, a video circulating online sparked concerns about his health, prompting him to post a response on Instagram in which he rejected the claims and criticized those spreading the footage.
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Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education there before moving to Nigeria for university studies.
He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Duru made his film debut in Missing Mark in 1989, in a production directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.
His performance in Rattlesnake later established him as a familiar face in the Nigerian film industry.
Over the course of his career, he featured in several films, including Blood Money in 1997, Stigma in 2013 and Mboputa in 2020.
In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role in an Igbo-language film award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
He also received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 in recognition of his influence on young people.
Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010. That year, he was also nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Vanguard News
