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'Days of our Lives' star Robert Kelker-Kelly's cause of death revealed
Confirmed
In Short: Robert Kelker-Kelly, the actor best known for his role as Bo Brady on 'Days of Our Lives,' died at the age of 62 due to arteriosclerotic heart disease, according to the Office of the Regional Medical Examiner in St. Charles, Missouri.
Kelker-Kelly was found unresponsive at his home on October 3, 2026, after experiencing alarming symptoms including chest and arm pain.
Paramedics attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful, and Kelker-Kelly was pronounced dead at 9:09 pm.
Kelker-Kelly's career spanned several iconic soap operas, including 'Another World,' where he played multiple characters such as Sam Fowler, Bobby Reno, and Shane Roberts from 1987 to 1998.
He also starred on 'General Hospital' as Stavros Cassadine from 2001 to 2014, appearing in 42 episodes.
Kelker-Kelly took over the role of Bo Brady in 1992, taking over from Peter Reckell, and won two Soap Opera Digest Awards, one for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1994 and another for Hottest Soap Couple in 1995, shared with his co-star Eileen Davidson.
In 1996, he returned to 'Another World' playing the role of professional race car driver Bobby Reno, who later was discovered to be Dr. Shane Roberts.
Kelker-Kelly later became a professional pilot, working in the field from 2003 to 2015.
Fans and colleagues expressed their condolences and shared memories of Kelker-Kelly's contributions to the soap opera world.
One fan wrote, 'RIP Robert Kelker-Kelly... Only 62. Did an excellent job taking over the Bo Brady role on DOOL in the early 90s. A fantastic actor and a good dude. He will be missed.'
Another fan noted, 'Shocked to hear Robert Kelker-Kelly died. Nobody could ever replace Peter Reckel on Days Of Our Lives but he sure did a good job. RIP #Days.'
Background
Robert Kelker-Kelly, best known for his role as Bo Brady on 'Days of Our Lives,' died from arteriosclerotic heart disease.
Robert Kelker-Kelly, the actor best known for his role as Bo Brady on 'Days of Our Lives,' died of arteriosclerotic heart disease, commonly known as coronary artery disease, according to the Office of the Regional Medical Examiner in St. Charles, Missouri, as reported by People.
Days of Our Lives is an American television soap opera that aired on the network NBC from November 8, 1965, to September 9, 2022; the soap has streamed new episodes on Peacock since September 12, 2022. The soap is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday since November 8, 1965.
What's confirmed
- Days of Our Lives star Robert Kelker-Kelly has died at 62, according to reports.
- Kelker-Kelly took home two Soap Opera Digest Awards in his career; one in 1994 for Outstanding Lead Actor and the other in 1995 for Hottest Soap Couple, shared with Rinna.
- Aside from soaps, Kelker-Kelly appeared in over 400 episodes of the TV series Another World between 1987 and 1998, playing different characters including Sam Fowler, Bobby Reno and Shane Roberts.
- Kelker-Kelly also starred on General Hospital, appearing in 42 episodes of that daytime soap opera as Stavros Cassadine between 2001 and 2014.
- While Rinna has not yet spoken out about the death of her former co-star, several fans have offered tributes and condolences.
- The off-screen relationship between Kelker-Kelly and Rinna was highlighted earlier this year upon the release of her memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.
- Kelker-Kelly did not respond to the allegations made in the book.
- “RIP Robert-Kelker Kelly... Only 62. Did an excellent job taking over the Bo Brady role on DOOL in the early 90s. A fantastic actor and a good dude. He will be missed,” someone else wrote.
- RIP,” someone else wrote as another chimed in, “Omg!!
- “Shocked to hear Robert Kelker-Kelly died. Nobody could ever replace Peter Reckel on Days Of Our Lives but he sure did a good job. RIP #Days,” one fan wrote on X.
- Paramedics “attempted life-saving measures,” but Kelker-Kelly was pronounced dead at 9:09 pm, according to police.
- According to the Office of the Regional Medical Examiner in St. Charles, Kelker-Kelly died of arteriosclerotic heart disease, Us Weekly reports.
What's still developing
- Kelker-Kelly took over the role of Bo Brady in 1992 Kelker-Kelly took over the role of Bo Brady in 1992 Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later?
- Kelker-Kelly’s death was reported by TMZ, which revealed that the actor died on Saturday, October 3, with no cause of death provided at this time.
- The 62-year-old was in the throes of a heart attack when first responders arrived at his home in Missouri on the evening of Oct. 3, according to Page Six.
- Published: 16:43 EDT, 29 October 2026 | Updated: 18:28 EDT, 29 October 2026 Days of Our Lives star Robert Kelker-Kelly's cause of death has been officially announced as arteriosclerotic heart disease.