Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘Days of Our Lives’ Actor Turned Pilot, Dies at 62

Robert Kelker-Kelly, a veteran soap opera actor best known for his portrayal of Bo Brady on “Days of Our Lives,” died on October 3, 2026, at the age of 62. The Missouri state medical examiner confirmed the news following a medical emergency at the actor’s home in St. Peters, Missouri.

According to reports from the St. Peters Police Department, officers responded to Kelker-Kelly’s residence at approximately 8:16 PM on Saturday. The dispatch followed a report of an unconscious man who was not breathing. Prior to becoming unresponsive, Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain. Law enforcement officials stated that the scene showed no signs of anything suspicious and that his death appeared consistent with a sudden medical event.

Kelker-Kelly earned a permanent place in daytime television history when he took over the iconic role of Bo Brady on Days of Our Lives in 1992, succeeding original actor Peter Reckell. He played the character until 1995, anchoring major storylines during one of the show’s most popular eras. His soap opera career was extensive, including significant roles as Sam Fowler and Shane Roberts on Another World, as well as a memorable turn as the villainous Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital.

A Second Act in Aviation

While fans remembered him for his dramatic screen presence, Kelker-Kelly had long since traded the Hollywood spotlight for a career in the clouds. After retiring from professional acting, he moved to the St. Louis area to pursue his passion for aviation. He reinvented himself as a professional aircraft pilot and worked as a flight instructor, becoming a fixture in the St. Charles and St. Peters aviation communities.

His transition from soap opera star to pilot was a rare and successful pivot that many fans followed with interest. However, his name returned to entertainment headlines earlier this year following the February 2026 release of Lisa Rinna’s memoir. In the book, Rinna, a former “Days of Our Lives” co-star, alleged that Kelker-Kelly had been verbally abusive and manipulative during their time working together on the set in the 1990s. Kelker-Kelly largely remained out of the public eye following those claims, continuing his work in Missouri.

No official cause of death has been released by the medical examiner’s office as of October 7. Plans for a memorial service, whether in his adopted home of Missouri or in California, have not yet been announced by his family.

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