From Rattlesnake to Merry Men: 10 movies that featured late Nollywood actor Francis Duru

Francis Duru. Credit: Instagram | francis.duru

It is no news that Veteran Nollywood actor, Francis Duru, is dead following a brief illness.

His family announced his death on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, expressing appreciation to fans and well-wishers for their support.

The Veteran Nollywood actor made an indelible mark on the Nigerian film industry through decades of memorable performances, featured in several notable productions, ranging from classic films to contemporary cinema.

Duru gained widespread recognition for his role as young Ahanna in the 1995 classic Rattlesnake, a film that helped establish his reputation as one of the recognisable faces of Nollywood’s early years.

Throughout his career, the actor demonstrated his versatility by appearing in films across different genres, including drama, thriller and comedy.

PUNCH Online on Friday takes a look at some of the notable movies that featured the late actor.

Among the notable titles associated with his filmography are Rattlesnake (1995), Blood Money (1997), Forces of Nature(2006), Home in Exile (2010), Stigma (2013), Lipstick (2016), Who Killed Chief? (2017), Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018), The Good Husband (2020) and Blood Vessel (2023).

In Rattlesnake, Duru played young Ahanna Okolo, a performance that remains one of the highlights of his acting career. The film is widely remembered as one of the landmark productions of the early Nollywood era.

He also featured in Blood Money, a supernatural thriller associated with the popular home-video era of Nigerian filmmaking, which produced several enduring titles.

Years later, Duru continued to appear in contemporary productions, including Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons, the 2018 action-comedy in which he played Inspector Jack.

His later credits included The Good Husband and Blood Vessel, the 2023 Nigerian thriller released on Netflix, in which he portrayed Pere.

Other films associated with his career include Home in Exile, Stigma, Lipstick and Who Killed Chief?, reflecting his continued presence in Nollywood productions over the years.

Duru’s career spanned different phases of the Nigerian film industry, from the era of VHS home videos to the rise of streaming platforms and internationally distributed Nigerian films.

His body of work reflects the evolution of Nollywood and the contributions of actors who helped shape the industry over several decades.

Through his performances in both classic and modern productions, Francis Duru earned a place among the familiar faces of Nigerian screen entertainment.

• Nollywood veteran, Francis Duru, dies at 57
• Don’t lose yourself in love, says Funke Akindele
• Broda Shaggi recounts survival after stray bullet injury

His work in Rattlesnake and subsequent appearances in films such as Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons remain part of his professional legacy.