Daytime television actor Robert Kelker-Kelly dies at 62 in Missouri

Emergency response in St. Peters

Robert Kelker-Kelly, an American daytime television actor known for his roles on "Days of Our Lives" and "General Hospital", died on 3 October 2026 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri, at the age of 62. Officers from the St. Peters Police Department responded to a call at approximately 8:16 p.m. regarding an unconscious male who was not breathing. Authorities reported that Kelker-Kelly had complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive. Responding officers and emergency medical personnel administered life-saving resuscitation efforts on the scene, but were unable to revive him. Police officials stated that the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event, though an official cause of death was not immediately released.

Daytime television career

Born in Wichita, Kansas, on 18 April 1964, Kelker-Kelly began his television career in 1987 playing Sam Fowler on the NBC soap opera "Another World", remaining with the program until 1990. In 1992, he stepped into one of daytime television's most visible roles, taking over the character of Bo Brady on "Days of Our Lives" after Peter Reckell, who had originated the role in 1983, left the show. Kelker-Kelly played opposite Kristian Alfonso as Hope Brady and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed until 1995, when Reckell returned to the series. His performance earned him the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1994, followed by the award for Hottest Soap Couple alongside Rinna in 1995. He later returned to "Another World" in 1996 as professional race car driver Bobby Reno, who was later revealed to be Dr. Shane Roberts, appearing through 1998 and contributing to over 400 total career episodes on the serial. He subsequently portrayed Stavros Cassadine, an aristocratic antagonist on "General Hospital" and "Port Charles", appearing in 2001 with recurring guest spots in 2002, 2003, 2013, and 2014.

Transition to aviation and teaching

Following his initial run on "Days of Our Lives", Kelker-Kelly shifted his focus away from Hollywood and moved out of Los Angeles after marrying Miriam Parrish in 1997. He earned certifications in airframe and powerplant mechanics and worked as an acting instructor at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School in South Hadley, Massachusetts, from 2002 to 2003. He subsequently transitioned into commercial aviation, flying as a professional pilot between 2003 and 2015 while continuing to teach and fly in later years. Outside of soap operas, his screen credits included appearances in films and television movies such as "Dream for an Insomniac", "Winter Heat", and "Mr. Write".

Co-star relations and family

Kelker-Kelly drew public attention in early 2026 after Rinna recounted their tumultuous working relationship during their three years together on "Days of Our Lives" in her memoir, "You Better Believe I'm Gonna Talk About It". Rinna described severe friction between the two actors during production despite their on-screen romance.

He made my life a living hell on the set of Days. He was horrible to me. I'd go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.

Kelker-Kelly did not publicly respond to Rinna's claims before his death. In his personal life, Kelker-Kelly divorced Linda Rattner in 1992 and was married to Parrish from 1997 until their divorce in 2013. He is survived by his daughter, Amelia Rose Kelly.