Robert Kelker-Kelly, the actor best known for his role as Bo Brady on the long-running US daytime soap opera 'Days of Our Lives', has died at the age of 62. According to reports, Kelker-Kelly died on Saturday, October 3, 2026, after suffering a medical emergency at his home in Missouri. The St. Peters Police Department responded to the scene at around 8:16 pm local time after the actor complained of chest pain and became unresponsive.
The police and paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful. The medical examiner confirmed his death, although the cause of death has not been officially confirmed. According to TMZ, law enforcement found nothing suspicious at the scene and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event. Kelker-Kelly played the character of Bo Brady from 1992 to 1995, taking over the role from Peter Reckell.
During his time on 'Days of Our Lives', Kelker-Kelly's character was involved in an on-screen romance with Lisa Rinna's character, Billie Reed. In an interview with We Love Soaps, Kelker-Kelly reflected on his time on the soap, revealing that the demanding schedule took a toll on him. He said he worked an average of 90 hours a week, with the cast shooting one to two shows a day.
Kelker-Kelly also recalled the intense physical demands of the role, which required him to be in top physical condition. He would often wake up at 3:00 am to go to the gym before heading to the studio for filming. The actor previously revealed that he had a difficult relationship with his co-star Lisa Rinna, who claimed in her memoir that the pair "hated each other" behind the scenes.
Rinna alleged that Kelker-Kelly was "horrible" to her and made her life a living hell on set. However, Kelker-Kelly's acting career began long before his time on 'Days of Our Lives'. He made his television debut on 'Another World' in 1987, playing the role of Sam Fowler. At the time, Kelker-Kelly was homeless and sleeping in his Jeep or on friends' floors.
Kelker-Kelly went on to appear on other shows, including 'General Hospital', where he played Stavros Cassadine from 2001 to 2003. He later returned to the role in 2013 and 2014. However, by then, Kelker-Kelly had largely stepped away from acting on screen and pursued a career in aviation, becoming a charter pilot and instructor.
Kelker-Kelly is survived by his family, including his daughter. He will be remembered for his contributions to the world of soap operas, particularly his iconic role as Bo Brady on 'Days of Our Lives'.
Key points
- Robert Kelker-Kelly died at the age of 62 after a medical emergency at his Missouri home.
- Kelker-Kelly played Bo Brady on 'Days of Our Lives' from 1992 to 1995.
- The cause of Kelker-Kelly's death has not been officially confirmed.
