Robert Kelker-Kelly, remembered for his role as Bo Brady on “Days of Our Lives,” has passed away from arteriosclerotic heart disease. The St. Charles County medical examiner confirmed the cause and ruled his death as natural.
Before becoming an actor, Kelker-Kelly had a career as a professional pilot. He experienced chest and left arm pain shortly before his passing at 62, as detailed in a report by the St. Peters Police Department. His wife, Allison Kelly, recounted the events leading to his death, including picking up her husband from the Spirit of St. Louis Airport and his subsequent symptoms.
During the drive home on October 3, Kelker-Kelly complained of chest and arm pain, asking to pull over due to nausea. Though his wife suggested a hospital visit, he preferred to return home to rest. After arrival, he changed clothes, took an aspirin, and went to bed. His wife found him unresponsive shortly after and immediately called 911 while starting CPR.
Emergency services responded swiftly, but despite lifesaving efforts, Kelker-Kelly was pronounced dead at 9:09 p.m. Authorities found no suspicious circumstances, supporting the conclusion of a natural death, as the medical examiner’s office released him without further investigation.
Kelker-Kelly was born on April 18, 1964, in Wichita, Kansas. His acting career began with roles in daytime soap operas, starting with “Another World” as Sam Fowler in 1987. In 1992, he joined “Days of Our Lives,” stepping into the role of Bo Brady. He played the character until 1995, earning a Soap Opera Digest Award for outstanding lead actor in 1994.
Subsequently, he appeared in ABC’s “General Hospital” from 2001 to 2003, playing Stavros Cassadine, a notorious antagonist. He returned to the role in 2013 and 2014, adding to his diverse portfolio of television characters.