The Office of the Regional Medical Examiner in St. Charles, Mo., has confirmed that actor Robert Kelker-Kelly died of arteriosclerotic heart disease. Kelker-Kelly, 62, was best known for playing Bo Brady on “Days of Our Lives” from 1992 to 1995.
Kelker-Kelly was found unconscious and not breathing on Oct. 3 after reportedly experiencing chest pain. According to Kyle Gaines, division chief and public information officer for the St. Charles County Ambulance District, first responders were dispatched to the actor’s home around 8:16 p.m. for a report of an adult male in cardiac arrest.
Paramedics and other emergency personnel responded and attempted to revive him using advanced life-saving measures. A 911 dispatch recording obtained by Page Six captured the effort to save his life, including a caller reporting that Kelker-Kelly was unresponsive while emergency personnel worked to get him out of his bed.
Police and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Authorities said there was nothing suspicious about his death at the time it occurred.
A soap opera career
Kelker-Kelly took over the role of Bo Brady from Peter Reckell and went on to appear on other daytime dramas, including “General Hospital” and “Another World.”
Earlier this year, Kelker-Kelly was named in former “Days of Our Lives” co-star Lisa Rinna’s memoir, “You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.” Rinna called him the “biggest bully in Hollywood” and alleged he was verbally abusive, manipulative and played mind games with her while they worked together on the soap. Kelker-Kelly never publicly responded to the allegations.
He later left Hollywood to become a professional pilot while also working as an acting coach.
Kelker-Kelly was married to actress Miriam Parrish from 1997 until their 2013 divorce. He is survived by their daughter, Amelia Rose Kelly.
