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Francis Duru (Francis Ogide Duru) was a veteran Nigerian actor, filmmaker, theatre practitioner, and television personality. He was born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon, to Nigerian parents from Imo State, southeastern Nigeria.
Education and Career
Duru received his early education in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria to study Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt. He began his acting career in 1989 with the film Missing Mark, but rose to prominence in the 1990s after playing Ahanna in the popular action film Rattlesnake.
Throughout his career, he featured in numerous Nollywood productions, including Blood Money, Nnenda, The Good Husband, and Mboputa. His performance in Mboputa earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards.
Awards and Contributions
Beyond acting, Duru contributed to the development of the Nigerian entertainment industry. In 2007, he received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace Award in recognition of his positive influence on young people. In 2010, he served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and was nominated for an Africa Movie Academy Award. He was also involved in humanitarian and youth-development activities.

Personal Life and Legacy
Francis Duru was married to Adokiye Duru, and they had four children. Reports published on October 23, 2026, state that he died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, with the news reportedly confirmed by his family and the Actors Guild of Nigeria.

Francis Duru will be remembered for his decades of contribution to Nollywood, his memorable performances, and his commitment to youth development and the arts.