Lagos/Abuja – Nollywood actor Francis Duru, best known for his iconic role as Ahanna in the 1995 film Rattlesnake, has d!ed at the age of 57 after a brief illness.
His family announced the d3ath in a short statement shared on his verified Instagram account early on Friday, October 23, 2026: “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.”
Reports indicate he d!ed at about 10 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, at the National Hospital in Abuja.
Duru’s d3ath comes just months after he publicly dismissed circulating videos and rumours suggesting he was battling a serious or terminal illness. In a June 2026 Instagram video, he described the footage as “fabricated and malicious,” insisting he had never been that sick and would remain strong by God’s grace.
Born Francis Ogide Duru on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Okai, Eziama, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, he completed his early education in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
He began his professional acting career in 1989 with the film Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. His breakthrough came in 1995 when he portrayed Ahanna in Rattlesnake, produced by the late Amaka Igwe. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he appeared in numerous Nollywood productions and served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in 2010.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria, through its National President Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, paid tribute, writing: “Another great thespian gone…. Rest in peace Francis Duru!!”
Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues and fans across the industry, remembering Duru for his dedication, professionalism and contributions to Nollywood. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced by the family.
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