{{short description|Nigerian actor}} {{Infobox person | name = Francis Duru | image = Francis Duru 0F9F0ABF-7ADA-48C3-B831-BAF23B476911 w1597 n r0 st.jpg | caption = Duru in 2019. | birth_name = Francis Ogide Duru | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1969|7|27}} | birth_place = Cameroon | alma_mater = University of Port Harcourt | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1989-Present | spouse = Adokiye Duru | children = 4 | website = }} '''Francis Duru''' {{Audio|Ig-Francis Duru.ogg|listen|help=no}} (born July 27, 1969) is a Nigerian actor who in 2007 received the ''United Nations Ambassador of Peace award'' for his positive influence on the youths.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/francis-duru-5-things-you-should-know-about-mama-sunday-actor/53zgfqy.amp|title=Francis Duru 5 things you should know about "Mama Sunday" actor|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|access-date=2019-12-09|archive-date=2019-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209201921/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/francis-duru-5-things-you-should-know-about-mama-sunday-actor/53zgfqy.amp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Aikomo">{{Cite web|last=Aikomo|first=Oluwamuyiwa|date=2019-07-27|title=Actor Francis Duru Celebrates 50th Birthday|url=https://nollywoodalive.com/actor-francis-duru-celebrates-50th-birthday/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126152936/https://nollywoodalive.com/actor-francis-duru-celebrates-50th-birthday/|archive-date=November 26, 2020|access-date=2019-12-09|website=Nollywood Alive|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2010, Duru was appointed as the interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN)<ref name=":0" /> and also in the same year was nominated for ''Best Actor in a Supporting Role'' at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
==Early life and education== Duru was born on July 27, 1969<ref name="Aikomo"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.A. degree in Theatre Arts''.''<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
==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''<ref>{{Cite news|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|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|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}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> a movie produced by now deceased director; Amaka Igwe.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He played a significant role in the movie as the character ''Ahanna''.<ref>{{Cite news|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|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
==Award== Duru was a recipient of the ''United Nations Ambassador of Peace award'' for his positive influence on the youths.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|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|newspaper=The Punch|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}}</ref> He won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award in 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his role in ''Mboputa''.<ref>{{Cite news|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|newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref>
==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,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/i%e2%80%99ll-act-majek-better-than-fashek-francis-duru/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=I'll act Majek better than Fashek - Francis Duru|date=2010-11-05|newspaper=Vanguard|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}}</ref> Duru has worked with ''UNICEF,'' ''USAID'', ''LEAP AFRICA'' and ''COMPASS''.<ref name=":0" />
==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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/on-my-wedding-day-i-went-to-church-without-shoes-francis-duru/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=On my wedding day, I went to church without shoes — Francis Duru|date=2019-02-24|newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref>
==Selected filmography== *''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)''
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable" !Year !Award ceremony !Category !Film !Result !Ref |- |2020 |Best of Nollywood Awards |Best Actor in a Lead role –Igbo |''Mboputa'' |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2020-12-02|title=2020 BON: Here are 5 nominees for 'Best Kiss' category|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/429108-2020-bon-here-are-5-nominees-for-best-kiss-category.html|access-date=2021-10-11|language=en-GB|archive-date=2020-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202163459/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/429108-2020-bon-here-are-5-nominees-for-best-kiss-category.html|url-status=live|newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{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