By Joyce Ekeh
Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru, best known for his role as Ahanna in the 1995 action film Rattlesnake, has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness.
His family announced his death in a statement posted on his verified Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the statement read.
The family appealed for prayers, love and understanding as it mourns the actor.
Duru was one of Nollywood’s familiar faces, with a career spanning more than three decades. He rose to prominence through his portrayal of Ahanna in Rattlesnake, directed by the late Amaka Igwe, a performance that helped establish his place in Nigeria’s film industry.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru later moved to Nigeria and studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating in 1996.
Beyond acting, he worked as a producer, director, voice-over artist and master of ceremonies, demonstrating his versatility across different aspects of the entertainment industry.
He also served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010 and received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace Award in 2007.
In 2020, Duru won the Best Actor in a Leading Role in an Igbo-language film award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
His death comes two years after the actor suffered the personal loss of his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, in August 2024, a tragedy he publicly mourned.
Duru is survived by his family. His death marks the loss of a veteran performer whose work spanned generations of Nigerian filmmaking.
