Francis Duru (born July 27, 1969) is a Nigerian

actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...

who in 2007 received the ''United Nations Ambassador of Peace award'' for his positive influence on the youths. In 2010, Duru was appointed as the interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and also in the same year was nominated for ''Best Actor in a Supporting Role'' at the

Africa Movie Academy Awards The Africa Movie Academy Awards is an annual entertainment award ceremony presented to recognize excellence among African and non-African professionals, who have contributed to the African film industry. The award was founded by Peace Anyiam-Osig ...

Early life and education

Duru was born on July 27, 1969 in Cameroon to Nigerian parents who hail from

Imo State Imo () is a States of Nigeria, state in the South East (Nigeria), South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by Anambra State, Rivers State to the west and south, and Abia State to the east. It takes its name from the Imo R ...

, 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 The University of Port Harcourt is a public research university located in Aluu and Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It was established in 1975 as University College, Port Harcourt and was given university status in 1977. The Univ ...

Rivers State Rivers is a states of Nigeria, state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed on 27 May 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria, Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo State, Im ...

in the South-south region of Nigeria and was accepted as an undergraduate to study ''

Theatre arts Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The performers may communic ...

''. In 1996, he obtained a B.Sc. degree in ''Theatre Arts.''

Career

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 Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes that form the genus, genera ''Crotalus'' and ''Sistrurus'' of the subfamily Crotalinae (the pit vipers). All rattlesnakes are vipers. Rattlesnakes are predators that live in a wide array of habitats, hunting sm ...

'' a movie produced by now deceased director; Amaka Igwe. He played a significant role in the movie as the character ''Ahanna''.

Award

Duru was a recipient of the ''United Nations Ambassador of Peace award'' for his positive influence on the youths. He won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award in 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his role in ''Mboputa''.

Humanitarian works

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 The vanguard (sometimes abbreviated to van and also called the advance guard) is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force. ...

, Duru has worked with ''

UNICEF UNICEF ( ), originally the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, officially United Nations Children's Fund since 1953, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing Humanitarianism, humanitarian and Development a ...

,'' ''USAID'', ''LEAP AFRICA'' and ''COMPASS''.

Personal life

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.

Selected filmography

*''Ugly Bird (2024) as Emenike'' *''Abigail's Memoir (2024) as Mr. Bassey'' *''

Blood Vessel Blood vessels are the tubular structures of a circulatory system that transport blood throughout many Animal, animals’ bodies. Blood vessels transport blood cells, nutrients, and oxygen to most of the Tissue (biology), tissues of a Body (bi ...

(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'' *''

(1995) as Ahanna'' *''Iva (1993)'' *''Missing Mark (1989)''

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Duru, Francis 1969 births Living people Igbo male actors University of Port Harcourt alumni 21st-century Nigerian male actors Nigerian male television actors Nigerian male film actors Actors from Imo State