Robert Kelker-Kelly, whose daytime career took him from Another World to Days of our Lives and General Hospital, died on October 3 at age 62, TMZ reported. While many soap fans remember him as the man who stepped into the formidable role of Bo Brady, Kelker-Kelly ultimately did something relatively rare in daytime: He played major roles on three soaps, including two completely different characters on the same show.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Kelker-Kelly died on October 3 at age 62. His cause of death has not been announced.
- He took over the iconic role of Bo Brady on DAYS from Peter Reckell in 1992.
- Kelker-Kelly also played two characters on Another World and Stavros Cassadine on GH.
Kelker-Kelly Took On the Job of Replacing Peter Reckell
Kelker-Kelly began his soap career in 1987 when he originated the role of Sam Fowler on Another World. He remained in Bay City until 1990, but the role that would make him especially familiar to daytime viewers came two years later.
In 1992, DAYS cast Kelker-Kelly as Bo Brady, replacing Peter Reckell in a role already closely associated with the actor and his enormously popular pairing with Hope.
Kelker-Kelly’s Bo was quickly thrown into the middle of Salem’s romantic drama opposite Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Billie (Lisa Rinna). His work earned him the 1994 Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actor. His run ended in 1995 when Reckell returned to DAYS.
Another World Gave Kelker-Kelly a Rare Second Act
Most actors lucky enough to return to a former soap reprise their old character. Kelker-Kelly did something much more unusual.
Six years after leaving AW as Sam, he returned in 1996 as an entirely different character, Shane Roberts, also known as Bobby Reno. The new role had no connection to Sam, giving viewers who remembered his original run the unusual experience of watching a familiar face return to Bay City as somebody completely new.
He remained with AW until 1998, but his daytime career still wasn’t finished.
GH Turned Him Into a Cassadine Villain
In 2001, Kelker-Kelly arrived on GH as Stavros Cassadine, taking over the role originated by John Martinuzzi. He returned several times over the years, including appearances in 2002 and 2003.
More than a decade later, GH brought him back as part of its 50th anniversary celebration in 2013. He appeared again in 2014, when Stavros made a ghostly appearance to torment longtime enemy Luke Spencer (the late Anthony Geary).
Kelker-Kelly eventually left acting and became a professional pilot.
His death was reported on October 5, two days after he died in Missouri. A cause of death has not yet been made public. Soap Hub sends its deepest condolences to Kelker-Kelly’s family, friends, and fans.
