Francis Duru, the veteran Nollywood actor who became a household name as Ahanna in the 1995 classic Rattlesnake, has died. He was 57.

His family confirmed the death in a statement on his verified Instagram page, saying they “regret to announce his passing following a brief illness.” They thanked Nigerians for their prayers, love and understanding, but did not disclose the nature of the illness or where he died.

The news broke earlier when the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, paid tribute online. “Another great thespian gone,” he wrote. Seun Oloketuyi, founder of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, also confirmed the death and said further details would follow.

His passing comes only months after he publicly dismissed rumours that he was terminally ill, following concern from fans over his appearance on a movie set.

Born Richard Francis Duru on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, he moved to Nigeria after his schooling and studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt.

He made his screen debut in 1989 in Missing Mark, directed by Ndubuisi Oko. Six years later, Amaka Igwe cast him as Ahanna, the street-hardened lead of Rattlesnake. The role made him one of the defining faces of early Nollywood, and for a generation of viewers he never quite stopped being Ahanna.

His career spanned more than three decades and well over a hundred productions, from Blood Money in 1997 to Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons in 2018, The Good Husband and Mboputa in 2020, Blood Vessel in 2023 and Ugly Bird in 2024. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2010 and won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2020 for Mboputa.

Off screen, Duru served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2010. He also worked with UNICEF, USAID, LEAP Africa and COMPASS on children’s education and welfare, and received a United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007 for his influence on young people.

The loss is the second heavy blow to his family in recent years. About two years ago, Duru announced the death of his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, writing on Instagram that the boy “fought like a lion.”

He is survived by his wife, Adokiye, whom he married in 2003, and their children.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.