# Death of Nollywood actor Francis Duru > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/death-of-nollywood-actor-francis-duru > Updated: 2026-10-25T02:05:32.000Z. Sources: 38. Developments: 2. Veteran Nigerian actor Francis Duru, widely known by his stage name Ahanna, has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness. His family announced his passing on October 23, 2026, following earlier periods of public speculation regarding his health. In June 2026, Duru had dismissed reports of a terminal illness as “fabricated and malicious.” Duru was a prominent figure in the Nollywood industry with a career spanning over three decades. His notable works included the 1995 film ‘Rattlesnake’ and ‘Mboputa’, for which he received a Best Actor award in 2020. He also served as the interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010 and was a United Nations Ambassador of Peace. Following the announcement, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed deep sadness, noting that Duru and his generation of actors helped shape the artistic character of the industry and presented Nigerian heritage to global audiences. Colleagues and peers have also offered tributes, highlighting his role as a mentor and his humility. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-25: Nollywood veteran Richard Francis Duru passes away Nollywood veteran Richard Francis Duru, known as Ahanna, has died, prompting tributes from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and fellow actors who celebrated his role in shaping the Nigerian film industry. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nollywood-veteran-richard-francis-duru-passes-away ### 2026-10-23: Francis Duru, veteran Nollywood actor, dies at 57 Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at age 57 following a brief illness. He was widely recognized for his role in the classic film ‘Rattlesnake’ and served as interim president of the Actors Guild of. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/francis-duru-veteran-nollywood-actor-dies-after-brief-illness --- Cite as: Death of Nollywood actor Francis Duru. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/death-of-nollywood-actor-francis-duru