Francis Duru

Duru was born on July 27, 1969{{Cite web|date=2021-07-27|title=Actor, Francis Duru Marks His Birthday With Cute Photos|url=https://www.ghgossip.com/actor-francis-duru-marks-his-birthday-with-cute-photos/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=GhGossip|language=en-AU|archive-date=2021-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728045655/https://www.ghgossip.com/actor-francis-duru-marks-his-birthday-with-cute-photos/|url-status=dead}} in Cameroon to Nigerian parents who hail from Imo State, a Southeastern geographical location of Nigeria. He received both primary and secondary school education in Cameroon but in order to obtain a B.Sc. degree, he moved to Nigeria where he applied to the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State in the South-south region of Nigeria and was accepted as an undergraduate to study Theatre arts. In 1996, he obtained a B.Sc. degree in Theatre Arts.

Duru debuted in the Nigerian movie industry in 1989 with a movie titled Missing Mark. The movie was directed by the now deceased director; Ndubuisi Oko. Duru’s feature in the movie did not do enough for his career as at the time he was still regarded as an up-and-coming actor.

Duru became more prominent in the Nigerian movie industry in 1995 after featuring in an action-comedy movie titled Rattlesnake{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/flash-back-friday-flash-back-to-movie-rattle-snake/06m8pf9.amp|title=Flash Back Friday! Flash Back To Movie 'Rattle Snake|website=www.pulse.ng|access-date=2019-12-10|archive-date=2019-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210141937/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/flash-back-friday-flash-back-to-movie-rattle-snake/06m8pf9.amp|url-status=live}} a movie produced by now deceased director; Amaka Igwe.{{Cite web|url=https://encomium.ng/amaka-igwes-final-hours-some-notable-characters-she-created/|title=Amaka Igwe would forever be remembered for creating some interesting characters that would even outlive her. They include: Peaceful Peace, Chief Fuji, Alika (all of Fuji House of Commotion). There are also Nduka, Bennie, Akpan and Barry Hughes. Anne Hasthrope (Checkmate), Segun Kadiri and Ahanna (Rattlesnake). {{!}} Encomium Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-10|archive-date=2019-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210141940/https://encomium.ng/amaka-igwes-final-hours-some-notable-characters-she-created/|url-status=live}} He played a significant role in the movie as the character Ahanna.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/francis-duru-top-5-films-of-the-talented-actor/le7q2b0.amp|title=Francis Duru Top 5 films of the talented actor|website=www.pulse.ng|access-date=2019-12-10|archive-date=2019-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210141938/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/francis-duru-top-5-films-of-the-talented-actor/le7q2b0.amp|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://connectnigeria.com/articles/2018/04/throwback-thursday-rattlesnake-nollywoods-first-action-movie/|title=Throwback Thursday: 'Rattlesnake', Nollywood's First Action Movie|last=Willie|first=Akwaowo|date=2018-04-12|website=Connect Nigeria|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-12-10|archive-date=2019-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210141938/https://connectnigeria.com/articles/2018/04/throwback-thursday-rattlesnake-nollywoods-first-action-movie/|url-status=dead}}

Duru was a recipient of the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award for his positive influence on the youths.{{Cite web|url=https://punchng.com/young-actors-more-interested-in-fame-not-talent-francis-duru/|title=Young actors more interested in fame not talent –Francis Duru|website=Punch Newspapers|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-09|archive-date=2019-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209202157/https://punchng.com/young-actors-more-interested-in-fame-not-talent-francis-duru/|url-status=live}} He won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award in 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his role in Mboputa.{{Cite web|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2020-12-07|title=BON Awards: Laura Fidel, Kunle Remi win Best Kiss (Full List of Winners)|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/429916-bon-awards-laura-fidel-kunle-remi-win-best-kiss-full-list-of-winners.html|access-date=2021-06-13|language=en-GB|archive-date=2020-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207162201/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/429916-bon-awards-laura-fidel-kunle-remi-win-best-kiss-full-list-of-winners.html|url-status=live}}

Duru has worked extensively with local and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to ensure that African children have a better education and a higher standard of living. According to a Nigerian reputable print media called the Vanguard,{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/i%e2%80%99ll-act-majek-better-than-fashek-francis-duru/|title=I'll act Majek better than Fashek - Francis Duru|date=2010-11-05|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-09|archive-date=2022-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506131319/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/i%E2%80%99ll-act-majek-better-than-fashek-francis-duru/|url-status=live}} Duru has worked with UNICEF, USAID, LEAP AFRICA and COMPASS.

Duru and his wife Adokiye got married in 2003 and have four children together. Duru and Adokiye both attended the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/on-my-wedding-day-i-went-to-church-without-shoes-francis-duru/|title=On my wedding day, I went to church without shoes — Francis Duru|date=2019-02-24|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-09}}

• Ugly Bird (2024) as Emenike
• Abigail's Memoir (2024) as Mr. Bassey
• Blood Vessel (2023) as Pere
• The Locals (2021) as Headmaster
• The Good Husband (2020) as Theophilus
• Mboputa (2020)
• Why Not? (2019) as Frank
• Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018) as Inspector Jack
• Who Killed Chief? (2017) as Chief Greg
• Lipstick (2016) as Nedu
• Mortuary Gate (2014) as Paulinus
• Stigma (2013) as Counsellor
• Sister of Virtue (2012) as Kelechi
• Home In Exile (2010)
• Nnenda (2009)
• Always Mine (2009) as Obieze
• Breaking Heart (2009) as Johnbull
• Entanglement (2009)
• Bless My Soul (2008) as Emeka
• Lumba Boys (2008)
• One On One (2008)
• Worst Enemy (2008)
• Laviva (2007)
• Final War (2007)
• Gods Of No Mercy (2007)
• Great Ambassadors (2007)
• House In Crisis (2007) as Uchenna
• Love And Likeness (2007) as Mezie
• Persecution (2007)
• Rhythm Of Love (2007)
• Royal Grandmother (2007) as Azubuike
• Short Of Time (2007) as Naira
• Silent Whispers (2007)
• Total War (2007) as Pastor Henry
• Warriors Of Satan (2007)
• Will Of God (2007)
• Clash Of Interest (2006) as Kalu
• Forces Of Nature (2006) as Vincent
• My Girl Friend (2006)
• My Little Secret (2006)
• Personal Assignment (2006) as Melum
• Soul Engagement (2006)
• Soul Engagement II (2006)
• Soul Engagement III (2006)
• Sound Of Love (2006) as Silas
• Sound Of Love II (2006)
• Sweet Sound (2006)
• Sweet Sound II (2006)
• Tears From Holland (2006)
• Tears From Holland II (2006)
• Upside Down (2006) as Patrick
• Upside Down II (2006)
• Without Apology (2006)
• Without Apology II (2006)
• Cold War (2005) as Obinna
• Price of Destiny (2004)
• Set-Up (2000)
• Narrow Escape (1999) as Emmanuel 2
• Blood Money (1997) as Jude
• Rattlesnake (1995) as Ahanna
• Iva (1993)
• Missing Mark (1989)

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|2339428}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duru, Francis}}

Category:1969 births

Category:Living people

Category:Igbo male actors

Category:University of Port Harcourt alumni

Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors

Category:Nigerian male television actors

Category:Nigerian male film actors

Category:Actors from Imo State