Nigerian actor Francis Duru die at age 57

Ogbonge Nigerian actor Francis Duru don die at di age of 57, im family announce on im official Instagram account.

Di actor family make di announcement for di early hours of Friday, 23 October wia dem say Duru pass away afta a brief illness.

"We, di family of Francis Duru, regret to announce im passing following a brief illness.

"We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May im soul rest in perfect peace. Amen," di family write.

Dis dey come one month afta di death of anoda actor Olu Jacobs wey die at di age of 84, afta e battle dementia wit Lewy Bodies for many years.

Who be Francis Duru?

Francis Duru, wey im full name na Francis Ogide Duru, na ogbonge Nigerian actor and one of di familiar faces for Nollywood.

Dem born am on 27 July 1969 for Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, southeast Nigeria, and im grow up for Cameroon bifor e move to Nigeria for higher education.

Im build im acting career wey last more dan 30 years for di Nigerian film industry.

Duru study Theatre Arts for di University of Port Harcourt for Rivers State, and graduate for 1996.

Im educational background help am prepare for professional career in acting and di performing arts. Bifor e establish imsef for Nollywood, im bin get experience for theatre and television, wey contribute to im development as actor.

Duru begin im film career wit Missing Mark for 1989. Im breakthrough come wit di 1995 film Rattlesnake, wey Amaka Igwe produce, wia Duru play Ahanna. Di film help am establish im reputation and open di door to more opportunities for Nollywood.

Ova di years, Duru bin appear for plenty films, including Blood Money, Nnenda, The Good Husband, Eagle Wings and Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons.

Beyond acting, e don also work as film director, producer, writer, master of ceremonies and television personality.

For 2020, e win di Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at di Best of Nollywood Awards for im performance in Mboputa. E bin also receive di United Nations Ambassador of Peace Award for 2007 for im positive influence on young pipo.

Duru bin contribute to di development of Nigeria entertainment industry through professional leadership and mentorship. For 2010, e bin serve as interim president of di Actors Guild of Nigeria and don hold oda roles within industry organisations.

E bin marry Adokiye Duru, and dem get four children. For August 2024, di family lose dia son Ifeanyi, aged 15. Wen e speak publicly about di loss for January 2025, Duru say di experience bin deepen im faith in God.