Francis Duru is a beloved Nigerian actor, humanitarian, and former interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Born in 1969 in Cameroon to Igbo parents from Imo State, he’s one of Nollywood’s most respected faces with over 100 movies to his name.
Before Fame
Duru grew up in Cameroon, where he finished primary and secondary school. He later moved to Nigeria for university and graduated with a B.Sc. in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt in 1996. His first acting gig was in 1989’s Missing Mark, but he wouldn’t hit his stride until years later.
Career
Everything changed in 1995 when he played “Ahanna” in Amaka Igwe’s Rattlesnake. That role turned him into an instant icon. Over the past 35 years, Francis has starred in more than 100 films, also working as a director, producer, and writer. He won Best Actor (Igbo) at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for Mboputa. In 2007, he was named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace, and in 2024, he was inducted into Nollywood’s Hall of Fame.
Trivia
Francis Duru holds a Master’s degree in Development Communication. He spent 24 years as a youth minister at Family Worship Center in Abuja. He has worked with organizations like UNICEF, USAID, LEAP Africa, and COMPASS. In June 2026, he publicly said a viral video showing him looking sick was fake and fabricated.
Family
Francis is married to Adokiye Duru, they’ve been together since 2003, and they have four children. Sadly, their 15-year-old son Ifeanyi passed away in August 2024 after a brave fight against illness.
Net Worth
Francis Duru’s net worth is estimated between $900,000 and $1 million, built through his film career, endorsements, and humanitarian work.