'Days of Our Lives' star Robert Kelker-Kelly ignored alarming symptoms before sudden death: police report
Actor Robert Kelker‑Kelly, 62, Dies After Sudden Chest Pain
Robert Kelker‑Kelly, the former “Days of Our Lives” star best known for portraying Bo Brady, died on the night of October 3, 2024, after experiencing severe chest and arm pain. The St. Peters Police Department and the St. Charles County Ambulance District confirmed his death at 9:09 p.m. following an emergency response at his Missouri home.
Kelker‑Kelly, who was 62 at the time of his passing, was not only a television actor but also worked as a licensed pilot. His wife, Allison Kelly, reported that she had driven him from the Spirit of St. Louis Airport at about 7:30 p.m. on the evening of his death. During the drive, he told her that he felt a sharp pain in his left arm and chest and requested that she pull over so he could vomit.
“After the drive, he asked if he needed to go to the hospital, but he declined,” Allison told investigators. “He said he wanted to go home and lie down instead.” The couple returned to their residence in St. Peters, where Kelker‑Kelly changed his clothes, settled into bed, and continued to complain of pain. He asked his wife for an aspirin, but she found him unresponsive and not breathing once she returned from the kitchen.
Allison immediately called 911 and began performing CPR, according to the police report. St. Peters police and the St. Charles County Ambulance District arrived shortly after 8:00 p.m. Paramedics attempted life‑saving measures, but Kelker‑Kelly was pronounced dead at 9:09 p.m. The medical examiner’s office later released him “with no further need for investigation,” indicating that no foul play or underlying medical conditions were identified. The cause of death was not specified.
Police stated that Kelker‑Kelly had reported chest pain just before becoming unresponsive, and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event. “Nothing suspicious was found at the scene,” the department noted.
Allison disclosed that her husband had no known medical conditions and did not take prescription medication. He had not sustained serious injuries or undergone surgery in the previous year.
Born on April 18, 1964, in Wichita, Kansas, Kelker‑Kelly built a long career in daytime television. He first appeared on the soap opera “Another World” as Sam Fowler in 1987. In 1992, he assumed the role of Bo Brady on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives,” succeeding Peter Reckell, and remained on the series until 1995. For his performance, he earned a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1994.
After leaving “Days of Our Lives,” Kelker‑Kelly took on the role of the villainous Stavros Cassadine in “General Hospital” from 2001 to 2003, and later returned to the character in 2013 and 2014.
The television community has expressed condolences following his passing, remembering Kelker‑Kelly for his dedication to the medium and his memorable portrayals of both heroic and villainous characters. He is survived by his wife, Allison, and any other family members not publicly disclosed.
