‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’ Alum Robert Kelker-Kelly’s Cause of Death Revealed

Fans of daytime television are still remembering Robert Kelker-Kelly, the actor who became one of the genre’s most recognizable leading men in the 1990s. He died earlier this month at his home in St. Peters, Missouri, at the age of 62.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Kelker-Kelly began his soap career on ‘Another World’ in 1987, playing Sam Fowler across 2 stints and more than 400 episodes. Outside of acting, he also worked as a professional pilot.

Weeks after his passing, his cause of death has now been made public. The St. Charles County medical examiner confirmed to Fox News Digital that Kelker-Kelly died of arteriosclerotic heart disease, and his death was ruled natural.

According to a St. Peters Police Department report obtained by the outlet, his wife, Allison Kelly, picked him up from the Spirit of St. Louis Airport on the evening of October 3. He reportedly experienced chest and arm pain but chose to rest at home rather than go to a hospital.

Later that night, he was found unresponsive. His wife called 911 and began CPR, but paramedics were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead at 9:09 p.m. Police reported finding no suspicious circumstances, describing the situation as consistent with a medical event. The medical examiner released his body without requesting further investigation.

His wife told police he had no known medical conditions, took no prescription medications, and hadn’t had any serious injuries or surgeries in the previous year. That makes his sudden passing all the more shocking for those close to him.

Kelker-Kelly’s biggest break came in 1992, when he joined ‘Days of Our Lives’ as Bo Brady, taking over the role from Peter Reckell. He played the character until 1995, becoming a fan favorite during his run.

His work earned him recognition from the soap world. He won the 1994 Soap Opera Digest Award for outstanding lead actor, and a year later shared another Soap Opera Digest Award for hottest soap couple with co-star Lisa Rinna. ‘Days of Our Lives’ honored him after his death with a tribute on Instagram, remembering his place in the show’s long history.

After ‘Days’, Kelker-Kelly found another iconic role on ‘General Hospital’. He played the scheming Stavros Cassadine from 2001 to 2003, a character that became part of one of the show’s most famous families.

He returned to the role in 2013 and 2014, giving longtime viewers another chance to see him in Port Charles. His ability to play both romantic heroes and memorable villains made him a versatile presence in daytime television. Kelker-Kelly was previously married to fellow ‘Days of Our Lives’ star Miriam Parrish, from 1997 until 2013. He is survived by his wife, Allison.

For many viewers, he will always be remembered for his years as Bo Brady and Stavros Cassadine, roles that helped define 1990s and 2000s soap television. His sudden passing is a reminder of the lasting connection soap fans have with the actors they welcomed into their homes every day.

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