Peter Paul Reckell (born May 7, 1955)[1] is an American actor and musician. He is best known for playing the role of Bo Brady on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives (1983 to 1987, 1990 to 1992, 1995 to 2012, recurring appearances from 2015 to 2023). He also played Bo on Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem, a spinoff series streaming on Peacock (2022). Reckell was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in 2009 for his work on Days. His other roles include Eric Hollister on As the World Turns (1980 to 1982) and Johnny Rourke on Knots Landing (1988 to 1989). He released his debut album, Peter Reckell, in 2003.
Early life
Reckell was born in Elkhart, Indiana, and raised in Okemos, a community in Lansing, Michigan.[2][3][4] The second oldest of six children, he has two brothers and three sisters. While in junior high school, he worked behind the scenes in school theater productions and eventually began performing on stage. After graduation, Reckell attended the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater with a minor in music and dance. He paid for his college education by working as a singing waiter.[5][6] He graduated in 1977.[7]
He was cast as Eric Hollister on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns, first airing on March 19, 1980. The character was paired with Hayley Wilson (Dana Delany). Reckell played the role until February 1982.[9] He also made a guest appearance on The Facts of Life in 1982.[10]
Reckell was cast as Bo Brady on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives, first airing on May 3, 1983.[11] The character was paired with Hope Williams (played by Kristian Alfonso). Soap Opera Digest described the romantic storyline as "classic in its origins and continues to make people melt: gruff boy from the wrong side of the tracks...tames the spoiled rich girl who was getting into all sorts of trouble."[12]
1984-1989: After Days
Reckell won two Soap Opera Digest Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor for his work on Days, in 1984 and 1985.[13][14] In 1986, he won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Young Leading Actor. He also received a nomination, with Kristian Alfonso, for Favorite Daytime Super Couple.[15][16]
Reckell and Alfonso decided to leave Days of Our Lives, last airing April 20, 1987. He said that he was burned out from the show's schedule and needed to try something new. The characters of Bo and Hope left Salem to sail around the world with their son, Shawn.[7][3][11]
Reckell decided to leave Days of Our Lives again, last airing January 17, 1992. He said that he had been dissatisfied with his storyline since returning to the show. The role of Bo was recast with Robert Kelker-Kelly.[7][11]
In August 1992, Reckell starred as Benny in the play Misconduct Allowed at the Tiffany Theater in Los Angeles.[23] He was cast as Jeff in the film Broken Bridges, which was shot in Moscow and Azerbaijan. The film's release was delayed until 1999.[24][25]
In July 1993, he starred in the play Allocating Annie at Conklin's Star Dinner Theater in Illinois.[7] He also guest starred on Baywatch in 1993.[16] Reckell played Ben in the television film Heavenly Road (1994).[26] He guest starred on Women of the House in 1995.[16]
Reckell returned to Days of Our Lives as Bo Brady, first airing August 1, 1995. He signed a long term contract with the show. Rumors circulated that he was asked to return because his replacement, Robert Kelker-Kelly, had been difficult to work with.[27][11] Reckell won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Hottest Male Star in 1996.[28] He also guest starred on Hope & Gloria in 1996.[16]
2000-2009: Other work
In 2000, Reckell played Bo Brady in the television film Days of Our Lives' 35th Anniversary.[29] In 2001, he and Kristian Alfonso won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Couple.[30] He also guest starred on Sheena in 2001.[10]
In 2002, Reckell and Kristian Alfonso won a special Daytime Emmy Award, voted on by fans, for America's Favorite Couple.[31] He released his debut album, Peter Reckell, in 2003. The album was produced by his wife, Kelly Moneymaker, and released on the independent label Midnite Sun Records.[4] In 2005, Reckell and Alfonso were nominated for a special Daytime Emmy Award, voted on by fans, for Most Irresistible Combination.[32]
In June 2010, Reckell joined the cast of the web series Venice: The Series.[36] In June 2012, it was announced that he would be leaving Days of Our Lives. His exit was rumored to be caused by budget cuts. He last aired in October 2012. In March 2015, it was announced that he would return to Days for the show's 50th anniversary.[37][38][39] The character of Bo died from a brain tumor.[40] On June 8, 2016, Reckell returned as Bo's ghost for a special episode of Days of Our Lives, focused on Hope Williams Brady.[41]
In September 2016, he played El Gallo in The Fantasticks at New York's Jerry Orbach Theater.[8] In 2020, he starred in Permanent Resident, a short film set during the COVID-19 pandemic.[42]
Reckell made a brief return to Days of Our Lives as Bo's ghost in May 2022.[43] He played Bo on Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem, a spin off series streaming on Peacock in July 2022.[44] It was revealed that the character was still alive after having been cryogenically frozen.[45] Reckell made a short return to Days in 2023, along with his former co-stars Kristian Alfonso and Victoria Konefal.[46]
Personal life
In December 1987, Reckell married actress Dale Kristien, who is best known for playing Christine in Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera.[3] They divorced in 1991.[1]
He married Kelly Moneymaker, the former singer of Exposé, on April 18, 1998.[6] Their daughter was born on October 25, 2007.[47]
Reckell is an environmentalist. He lives in a solar powered home and drives an electric car. He also sometimes uses a bicycle for transportation.[6]
^Bonderoff, Jason (April 17, 1990). "Late Breaking News: Can Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso Bring Back the Magic?". Soap Opera Digest. 15 (8): 72–73.
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