Francis Duru (1969-2026): Another Curtain Closes

Another curtain closes as Nollywood has lost yet another veteran actor, Francis Ojide Duru. He was 57.  Born in Cameroon, Duru earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. 

He began acting in the late 80s, rising to fame playing a young Ahanna in Amaka Igwe's 1995 film, "Rattle Snake," with Okechukwu "Okey" Igwe playing the character as an adult from then on.

Known for playing resilient, religious & tragic characters, he also appeared in other classics, including Daybreak 2: Judgment Day, Dust to Dust, Homeless, The Blood Brothers, Set Up, Black Powder, Laraba, & later on, others like The Good Husband, Mboputa, & Abigail's Memoir.

                                                       

Also a strong presence in theatre, he played Wesley, a disgruntled, egotistical journalist in the live performance of Bimbo Manuel's play, Philomena: Interview With A Prostitute, with Ejike Asiegbu as the school teacher, Area & Monalisa Chinda as the titular Philomena. The play first premiered at the Hotel Presidential's Atlantic Hall in Port Harcourt, from February 11 to February 14, 2022, & succesful runs in Abuja from July 22 to July 24 that same year. 

Francis Duru was also known for empowering the youth via his philanthropic works, earning the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 & served as the interim Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) president in 2010. 

Francis Duru is survived by his wife and children. 

May his gentle soul rest in peace!