Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru, best known for playing young Ahanna in the 1995 classic Rattlesnake, has died at the age of 57, leaving behind a film career that spanned more than three decades.

His family announced his death in a statement published on his official Instagram page on Friday, October 23, 2026, saying he died following a brief illness. The family did not disclose the exact date of his death or provide details of his burial arrangements.

The Actors Guild of Nigeria also confirmed his passing, while tributes emerged from colleagues and members of the entertainment industry.

Duru began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. He rose to wider prominence after appearing in Rattlesnake, directed and produced by Amaka Igwe, in which he portrayed the younger version of Ahanna Okolo.

Over the years, he featured in films across different genres, from early Nollywood home-video productions to contemporary films released on streaming platforms.

Here are 10 notable movies associated with his career.

1. Missing Mark (1989)

Duru made his film debut in Missing Mark, marking the beginning of a career that would eventually establish him as a familiar face in Nigerian cinema.

2. Rattlesnake (1995)

The film remains one of Duru’s most recognisable works. He played young Ahanna Okolo in Amaka Igwe’s crime drama, which became a landmark production in Nollywood’s early years.

3. Blood Money (1997)

Duru also featured in Blood Money, a supernatural thriller associated with the era of Nigerian home-video films that helped expand the local movie industry.

4. Forces of Nature (2006)

This film was among his productions during a period when Nollywood was expanding its output and reaching audiences through a growing home-video market.

5. Personal Assignment (2006)

Another title in Duru’s filmography, Personal Assignment, reflected his continued involvement in Nigerian film productions during the 2000s.

6. Home in Exile (2010)

Released in 2010, Home in Exile was among the films associated with Duru’s work as his career continued into the next decade.

7. Stigma (2013)

Duru’s film credits also include Stigma, a drama released in 2013.

8. Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018)

In the 2018 action-comedy, Duru played Inspector Jack. The film, directed by Toka McBaror, featured an ensemble cast and became one of the contemporary productions linked to his career.

9. The Good Husband (2020)

Duru appeared in The Good Husband, continuing his screen work as Nollywood productions increasingly reached audiences through digital distribution.

10. Blood Vessel (2023)

One of his later film credits was Blood Vessel, a Nigerian thriller released on Netflix in December 2023. The film follows young people who escape an oil-polluted community and stow away on a ship carrying stolen crude oil.

A career spanning Nollywood generations

Duru’s career bridged different stages of Nigerian filmmaking, from the home-video era of the late 1980s and 1990s to productions distributed through international streaming services.

Beyond acting, he served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010 and received a United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 for his influence on young people.

His death marks the loss of an actor whose performances connected audiences to several generations of Nollywood storytelling.