St. Peters, Mo. — Robert Kelker-Kelly, the actor known for his role as Bo Brady on the long-running soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” passed away on October 3, 2026, at the age of 62 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home. Emergency services received a call reporting that he was not breathing, and when first responders arrived shortly after 8 p.m., they found him unresponsive in bed. Despite efforts to revive him, those attempts were unsuccessful.
According to police reports, prior to losing consciousness, Kelker-Kelly had complained of chest pains. The investigation into his death indicated no evidence of foul play or suspicious circumstances. The medical examiner’s office confirmed that the actor died from natural causes, with no toxicology tests necessary as there were no signs of drug or alcohol use. While an official statement regarding the precise cause of death is pending, authorities have confirmed the nature of the incident.
Born on April 18, 1964, in Wichita, Kansas, Kelker-Kelly began his acting career in 1987 on the NBC soap “Another World,” where he played Sam Fowler. He became a prominent figure in the daytime television landscape after taking over the role of Bo Brady on “Days of Our Lives” in 1992. This character, originally portrayed by actor Peter Reckell, became iconic, and Kelker-Kelly logged nearly 600 episodes opposite notable co-stars, including Kristian Alfonso as Hope Brady. His portrayal of Bo earned him recognition, culminating in winning the Outstanding Lead Actor award at the Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1994.
Following his success in daytime television, Kelker-Kelly transitioned into darker roles, portraying the villainous Stavros Cassadine on “General Hospital” and its spinoff, “Port Charles,” from 1997 to 2003. He reprised the role briefly in 2013 and 2014, marking his last significant acting appearance. In addition to his soap opera acclaim, Kelker-Kelly appeared in various television shows, including “Touched by an Angel” and “Maybe This Time,” before ultimately pivoting his career to become a professional pilot.
Kelker-Kelly’s personal life included two marriages; he wed Linda Rattner in 1988 but divorced four years later. In 1997, he married Miriam Parrish, but this partnership also ended in divorce in 2013.
In a return to the spotlight, Kelker-Kelly was the subject of allegations made by his former co-star Lisa Rinna in her 2026 memoir. Rinna claimed that their on-screen chemistry masked a tumultuous relationship characterized by verbal abuse and manipulation. She described the atmosphere on set as toxic, highlighting conflicts that diverged significantly from their public personas. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Kelker-Kelly did not publicly address them.
Throughout his career, Kelker-Kelly’s contributions to soap operas and his varied roles have left a lasting impact on the genre, and his untimely death has drawn attention from fans and colleagues alike. His legacy as a compelling performer will endure in the memories of those who enjoyed his work on screen.