Francis Duru, the Nigerian actor who became a household name as Ahanna in Amaka Igwe’s 1995 film Rattlesnake and went on to work in Nollywood for more than three decades, has died at the age of 57. His family said he died after a brief illness.
What we know
News of his death was first shared late on Thursday, October 22, 2026, by Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). “Another great thespian gone… Rest in peace Francis Duru!!” he wrote. Seun Oloketuyi, founder of the Best of Nollywood Awards, also posted the news.
The family then confirmed the death in a statement on the actor’s verified Instagram page: “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 family did not name the illness or say where he died. This story will be updated as more information is confirmed.
A career that began in 1989
Born on July 27, 1969, to parents from Imo State, Duru went to primary and secondary school in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria to study Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt. He made his screen debut in 1989 in Missing Mark, directed by Ndubuisi Oko.
His breakthrough came six years later as Ahanna in Rattlesnake, produced by Amaka Igwe. He followed it by playing Jude in Blood Money (1997) and its 1998 sequel. His later credits included Mortuary Gate (2014), Lipstick (2016), Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018), The Good Husband (2020), Blood Vessel (2023) and Abigail’s Memoir (2024).
In 2010 he was appointed interim president of the AGN, the same guild that announced his death, and that year he was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. In 2020 he won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
Recent months
In June 2026, a video of Duru on a film set spread online and led fans to speculate that he was seriously ill. He dismissed the claims at the time.
His death comes two years after he lost his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, in 2024. “My champ! My lion, you fought like a lion,” Duru wrote on Instagram after the boy’s death.
Duru married Adokiye Duru, whom he met at the University of Port Harcourt, in 2003. They had four children.
For many Nigerian viewers he will remain Ahanna from Rattlesnake, the role that made his name more than 30 years ago.
Sources
- Francis Duru family statement, Instagram
- Business Post: Movie Star Francis Duru Dies at 57 After Brief Illness
- YEN: Actors Guild of Nigeria president confirms Francis Duru’s death
- YEN: Family confirms Francis Duru’s death
- Vanguard (2010): I’ll act Majek better than Fashek, Francis Duru
- Wikipedia: Francis Duru (filmography and awards)