Nollywood Veteran Francis Duru, ‘Rattlesnake’ Star, Di£s At 57 After Brief Illness
Nollywood Veteran Francis Duru, ‘Rattlesnake’ Star, Dies At 57 After Brief Illness
Lagos, Nigeria– Veteran Nollywood actor, director and filmmaker Francis Duru has died at the age of 57, his family has announced.
The family disclosed his death in a statement shared on his verified Instagram page on Friday, October 23, 2026, saying the celebrated actor passed away peacefully following a brief illness.
The announcement has stirred sadness among fans and colleagues of the veteran actor, who was widely known for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry, particularly his role in the popular movie Rattlesnake.Read Daily News
“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’s death comes months after he dismissed reports claiming that he was battling a life-threatening illness.Shop African Art
In June 2026, concerns emerged among fans and colleagues after a video showing the actor looking frail circulated on social media, triggering speculation about his health.
However, the actor subsequently took to Instagram to address the reports, describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.
His response came amid growing concerns about his well-being, with the actor rejecting claims surrounding the viral video at the time.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru spent his early years in the country before relocating to Nigeria to pursue his university education.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Cameroon before gaining admission to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts.
Duru graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts in 1996, laying the foundation for a career that spanned acting, directing and filmmaking.
He began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, a film directed by the late filmmaker Ndubuisi Oko.
Over the years, Duru established himself as a familiar face in Nollywood, earning recognition for his performances and contributions to the development of Nigeria’s film industry.Shop African Art
His association with Rattlesnake remains one of the defining highlights of his career, with the film helping to cement his place among the industry’s recognised actors.
Beyond acting, Duru also worked as a director and filmmaker, contributing to the creative industry through his involvement in different aspects of film production.
His death marks a loss to Nollywood, where he built a career spanning several decades.
