Death and police response
Robert Kelker-Kelly passed away at 62 on Saturday in St. Peters, Missouri. Police there stated that officers were dispatched after a call about a man who was unconscious and not breathing. Authorities noted he had apparently reported chest pain not long before he stopped responding, and they said the situation looked like it stemmed from a medical episode.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7][S8]
Daytime television career
Kelker-Kelly began his acting career in 1987 playing Sam Fowler on the soap opera 'Another World.' In 1992, he joined 'Days of Our Lives,' taking over the role of Bo Brady from Peter Reckell. He played the character opposite Kristian Alfonso's Hope Brady and Lisa Rinna's Billie Reed before Reckell returned to the role in 1995.[S1]
Rinna wrote in her memoir, 'You Better Believe I'm Gonna Talk About It,' about the strained dynamic she shared with Kelker-Kelly while they portrayed romantic partners on screen between 1992 and 1995. According to Rinna, the two clashed off camera even though they spent each workday together, frequently wearing very little. Both performers came aboard the daytime serial in 1992, and in 1995 they received a Soap Opera Digest Award for Hottest Soap Couple. They departed their parts that same year.[S1]
He additionally portrayed Stavros Cassadine on 'General Hospital' in 2001, returning for guest appearances in 2002, 2003, 2013 and 2014. Beyond his television credits, his résumé included parts in multiple films and made-for-TV movies, among them 'Dream for an Insomniac,' 'Winter Heat' and 'Mr. Write.'[S1]
Life after acting
In 1997, two years afterward, Kelker-Kelly wed Miriam Parrish and relocated away from Los Angeles, stepping away from performing. He obtained an airframe and powerplant mechanics certificate. Between 2002 and 2003 he taught acting at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School in South Hadley, Massachusetts, and afterward became a professional pilot. He continued both teaching and flying until he died.[S1]
