Nollywood Mourns as Actor Bucci Franklin Announces the Passing of His Beloved Mother, Mrs. Joy Odurukwe

Nollywood actor Bucci Franklin, whose real name is Onyebuchi Franklin Odurukwe, has revealed the demise of his mother, Mrs. Joy Odurukwe. The news broke on December 22, 2025, when the actor shared a poignant post on his Instagram page, featuring a photograph of his late mother alongside an official obituary notice.

Mrs. Joy Odurukwe, born in 1953, lived a full life until her passing in 2025 at the age of 72. Though details surrounding the exact date and cause of her death remain private, the obituary highlighted her as a devoted mother and a pillar of strength for her family. Bucci's simple yet emotional caption—"Hey Mama" accompanied by a dove emoji—spoke volumes about the deep bond they shared, resonating with thousands of followers who flooded the comments with messages of condolence.

Bucci Franklin, born on June 9 in the early 1990s (sources vary between 1992 and 1986), hails from Nkwerre in Imo State but grew up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Abuja, he began his career as a radio presenter and on-air personality (OAP) at Love FM 104.5 in Abuja before transitioning fully into acting in 2013. His breakout roles came in films like *Knockout Blessing* (2018) and *Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story* (2020), but it was his chilling portrayal of the villainous Oboz Da Boss in Kemi Adetiba's 2025 Netflix thriller *To Kill a Monkey* that catapulted him to widespread acclaim, earning praise for his intense and commanding performance.

Throughout his rise to stardom, Bucci has been vocal about the profound influence his mother had on his life. In previous interviews, including one on the *With Chude* podcast in September 2025, he opened up about growing up without a present father figure, crediting Mrs. Odurukwe for single-handedly raising him and instilling values of hard work, discipline, and resilience. "It is not easy to be a single parent," he shared, praising her unwavering strength and expressing admiration for all women in similar situations. He noted that he had forgiven his father and now viewed him differently, but his mother's role remained central to his narrative of perseverance.

The outpouring of grief from the Nollywood community and fans has been overwhelming. Colleagues and admirers alike have taken to social media to share tributes, celebrating Mrs. Joy Odurukwe's legacy as the woman who nurtured one of the industry's rising stars. Messages highlighted her quiet support behind the scenes and the love evident in Bucci's past posts, including one from October 2024 where he shared a heartfelt photo with her.