Veteran Nollywood actor, Francis Duru, has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family confirmed his death in a statement shared on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement read.
“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, also confirmed the actor’s death in a Facebook post.
“Another great thespian is gone. Rest in peace, Francis Duru,” Yakubu wrote.
Founder of the Best of Nollywood Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, also announced his passing.
Duru was born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State.
He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating in 1996.
He began his acting career in 1989 with _Missing Mark_, but gained wider recognition for his role as Ahanna in the 1995 film _Rattlesnake_, produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
