Francis Duru, star of Rattlesnake, dies at 57
The Nollywood actor, whose career began in 1989, died after a brief illness, his family says.
Lagos — Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at 57 after a brief illness, his family announced on Instagram on Friday, Premium Times reports. The Actors Guild of Nigeria, led by Abubakar Yakubu, confirmed the death and called him a great thespian.
A life on screen
Born in Cameroon to parents from Imo State, Duru studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt. He began acting in 1989 in Missing Mark and became a household name in 1995 as Ahanna in Amaka Igwe's Rattlesnake. His many films include Ugly Bird, Abigail's Memoir, Blood Vessel, The Good Husband, Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons, Who Killed Chief? and Nnenda.
In 2007 he received a United Nations Ambassador of Peace award for his work with young people, and in 2010 he served as interim president of the Actors Guild and was nominated for best supporting actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
He married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003; they met as students in Port Harcourt and had four children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Source: Premium Times, 23 October 2026.
