Bo Brady

Last updated
Bo Brady
Days of Our Lives character
Peter Reckell as Bo Brady.png
Peter Reckell as Bo Brady
Portrayed by
Duration
  • 1983–1987
  • 1990–2012
  • 2015–2016
  • 2022–2023
First appearanceMay 3, 1983
Last appearanceApril 28, 2023
Classification Past; recurring
Created by Margaret DePriest and Sheri Anderson
Introduced by
Spin-off
appearances
In-universe information
Other namesBeauregard Aurelius Brady
Shane Donovan
Occupation
Father Victor Kiriakis
Mother Caroline Brady
Stepfather Shawn Brady
Stepmother Maggie Horton
Half-brothers
Half-sisters
Wife
Sons
Daughters
Grandchildren Claire Brady
Bo Brady-Weston
Isaac Brady
Grandparents
  • Peter Brady (legal)
  • Yurgos Kiriakis
  • Sophie Kiriakis
Aunts and uncles
Nephews
Nieces
First cousins
Other relatives

Bo Brady is a fictional character from the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives . The role has been most notably portrayed by Peter Reckell, who originated the role on May 3, 1983.

Contents

Creation and casting

Created under head-writer Margaret DePriest, the role was originated by Peter Reckell on May 3, 1983. [1] Rebellious blue-collar Bo was paired with more upper-class Hope Williams (Kristian Alfonso), forming one of the show's first and most popular supercouples. [2] Reckell left the show alongside Alfonso on April 20, 1987. [3] Reckell returned from April 19, 1990, to January 17, 1992, until Robert Kelker-Kelly stepped into the role from March 13, 1992, to July 24, 1995. [4] [5] Reckell returned to portray Bo on August 1, 1995. [1] Tom Cruise auditioned for the role. [6]

In June 2012, after much speculation, it was confirmed that Reckell would once again exit the soap. [7] [8] Reckell filmed his final scenes for Days of our Lives on July 24, 2012, last airing on October 30. [9] On March 18, 2015, it was announced that Reckell had signed a deal to return for the show's fiftieth anniversary, airing on August 28, 2015. [10] In May 2016, it was announced that Reckell would return for a special episode centered around Hope, airing on June 7 and 8, 2016. [11]

Storylines

Bo was born on November 5, 1963 [12] and is the only son of Caroline Brady (Peggy McCay) and Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston). [13] [14] However, Bo is raised as the youngest child of Caroline and her husband Shawn Brady (Frank Parker) until his paternity reveal in 1985. Bo returned to Salem in 1983 and married Hope Williams (Kristian Alfonso) shortly after. The couple later welcomed their son, Shawn-Douglas Brady. Bo later became a detective at the Salem Police Department. [15] In 2000, Bo and Hope welcomed another son, Zack. During the Salem Stalker storyline, Bo lost his mother and older brother Roman (Josh Taylor). He rejoined the police force to help solve the case and was forced to arrest his former sister-in-law, Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall). All the victims were discovered on a mysterious island and Bo was on the rescue team. He was also reunited with his ex-wife, Billie Reed (Julie Pinson). On New Year's Day in 2006, Zack was hit by a car driven by Bo and Billie's daughter, Chelsea (Rachel Melvin). To protect Chelsea, Bo hid the truth believing it would destroy his family. In 2008, Chelsea saved Bo's life by donating part of her pancreas when his began failing. Bo suffered a concussion and temporarily experienced psychic visions. [16] In 2012, Bo quit the force after budget cuts and accompanied Caroline to California for Alzheimer's treatment. Caroline eventually returns, but Bo decided to go sailing as it was a lifelong dream of his. Hope and their daughter went sailing with him for a brief vacation however all the boat scenes only include Hope and Ciara in the cabin by themselves.

In late 2013-early 2014, Hope revealed that Bo went to Europe to continue investigating the DiMeras on his own. However, as time went on and his investigation took on a wider scope (ostensibly as part of a larger ISA mission), so did his absence from home, and Hope.

In March 2014, John Black delivered a message to Hope that Bo's investigation had branched off into a larger, more powerful, and more dangerous criminal organization than even the DiMeras, and is working deep undercover in Europe to bring them down, and may not be back for another year or more. Bo's situation even precluded him from contacting friends and family, and a letter to Hope was the last known contact any Salemite had with him.

Beginning September 2015, Bo was seen being held captive and tortured in a dirty prison, later revealed to be in Mexico. When Steve, with John's help, began to track him down, he was moved to an equally filthy hospital-looking facility. Steve, John, and Victor uncover that Bo was working with Victor to help Dr. Salinas find a cure for Caroline's Alzheimer's-type condition. This may have also been at the same time that he was involved in an investigation that may or may not have involved the ISA which had taken him to northern Europe. He was then lured by a Britta Englund-lookalike to Mexico. In November 2015, Bo started to blackout and experienced headaches. Thanks to his sister, Kayla, he underwent testing and was diagnosed with an inoperable terminal brain tumor. In the location of their first kiss, Bo tells Hope of his condition. Bo and Hope passionately repeat their wedding vows to each other as Bo becomes extremely pale and weak. Hope told Bo that his nephew Will was murdered last month, at which he was devastated. Then Bo lost consciousness and died in Hope's arms, while snow started to fall on them.

In 2022, it is revealed that Bo had been resurrected by Megan Hathaway.

Reception

In 2020, Charlie Mason from Soaps She Knows placed Bo as third place on the list of the 35 most memorable characters from Days of Our Lives, saying "To this day, we can’t hear “Holding Out for a Hero” without thinking of the iconic anti-hero that Peter Reckell created. And don’t even get us started on what happens when we hear “Tonight I Celebrate My Love for You"" [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristian Alfonso</span> American actress (born 1963)

Kristian-Joy Alfonso is an American actress, former figure skater, and fashion model. She is recognized for her portrayal of Hope Williams Brady on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Reckell</span> American actor (born 1955)

Peter Paul Reckell is an American actor. He is best known for playing Bo Brady, a role he originated in 1983 on the NBC drama Days of Our Lives.

Robert Kelker-Kelly is a former American soap opera actor and current professional aircraft pilot, best known for playing Bo Brady on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1992 to 1995. He is also known for his portrayals of Sam Fowler from 1987 to 1990 and Dr. Shane Roberts from 1996 to 1998 on Another World, and for the role of Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital from 2001 to 2003 and 2013 to 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Brady and Hope Williams</span> Soap opera character

Beauregard "Bo" Brady and Hope Williams Brady are fictional characters and the signature supercouple on the American daytime drama Days of Our Lives. Bo is portrayed by Peter Reckell and Hope is portrayed by Kristian Alfonso. On internet message boards, the couple is often referred by the portmanteau "Bope". Along with General Hospital's Luke and Laura Spencer, Bo and Hope are considered to be one of daytime television's most iconic couples.

The Cruise of Deception was a major cliffhanger and resolution storyline on the daytime drama Days of Our Lives. Billed as a "miniseries" by NBC advertisements, it aired from June 7 until July 16, 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stefano DiMera</span> Soap opera character

Stefano DiMera is a fictional character from the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives, played by Joseph Mascolo. Created by Pat Falken Smith, Stefano was introduced on January 18, 1982 as the father of Tony DiMera looking to expand his criminal empire to Salem. Stefano's early storylines included his feud with Roman Brady, playing his children – Tony and Renée DuMonde against one another when he is presumed dead, orchestrating a series of murders with his son and Tony's deranged look-a-like André, and replacing the presumed dead Roman with the brainwashed John Black.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn-Douglas Brady</span> Soap opera character

Shawn-Douglas Brady is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. He is the son of supercouple Bo Brady and Hope Williams, and one half of the supercouple Shawn Brady and Belle Black. Jason Cook portrayed the character from October 15, 1999, to September 22, 2006. Brandon Beemer played in the role from September 28, 2006, to March 21, 2008. In May 2015, Soap Opera Digest reported the character would be returning for the show's 50th anniversary, once again portrayed by Cook. On November 10, 2015, it was confirmed that Beemer would return to the role in 2016, replacing Cook again. In March 2016, it was revealed that Beemer along with three other actors were let go from the show. However, in May 2016, Daytime Confidential revealed that Beemer would again be returning to the show. Shawn then appeared for various stints of different lengths before rejoining the regular cast again in 2020. In October 2023, Beemer made an unannounced departure from the show; last airing on October 12, 2023.

John Black (<i>Days of Our Lives</i>) Soap opera character

John Black is a fictional character on Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera streaming on Peacock. He was played by Drake Hogestyn from January 1986 to January 2009, and since September 2011. John was created by scriptwriters Sheri Anderson, Thom Racina and Leah Laiman as the Pawn in 1985, and introduced by executive producers Betty Corday and Al Rabin. He became one of the series' most popular characters when he was revealed to be the presumed-dead Roman Brady, after plastic surgery and amnesia. Northrop's 1991 return led to Hogestyn's portrayal of Roman being retconned into the separate character of John Black, which establishes the supercouple pairing of John and Marlena due to John's affair with Roman's wife Marlena Evans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hope Williams Brady</span> Soap opera character

Hope Williams Brady is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Created by writer William J. Bell, she was portrayed by Kristian Alfonso on and off from April 1983 to the present day, most recently appearing in late April 2023. Hope is a member of the Horton family, the long-running core fictional family on Days. She is the mother of Shawn-Douglas Brady, Zack Brady, and Ciara Brady. Hope is one half of the supercouple Bo & Hope. She works as a cop for the Salem P.D. Hope was promoted to Commissioner of Salem P.D. in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristen DiMera</span> Fictional character from Days of Our Lives

Kristen Blake DiMera is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. The role was originally portrayed by Eileen Davidson. Davidson joined the cast of Days of Our Lives in 1993, and departed in 1998 after a five-year stint. After a 14-year absence, Davidson returned to the role of Kristen in the fall of 2012. Kristen and her brother Peter were raised by super villain Stefano DiMera at a very young age following the deaths of their parents; however, their mother Rachel was later revealed to be alive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis</span> Fictional character

Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis is a fictional character on NBC's daytime drama Days of Our Lives. She had been portrayed by actress Denise Wanner from November to December 1986 before Judi Evans took over the role from December 1986 to February 1991, from May 2007 to January 2008 and from March 2010 to January 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Reed</span> Fictional character

Billie Reed is a fictional character from the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives, created by writer Sheri Anderson and most prominently portrayed by Lisa Rinna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carly Manning</span> Soap opera character

Carly Manning is a fictional character on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. Crystal Chappell portrayed the character from June 12, 1990, to October 18, 1993. After a sixteen-year absence, she reprised the role on October 2, 2009, to September 22, 2011. Chappell's most memorable storyline was in 1993 when her longtime rival Vivian Alamain buried her alive, which has become one of the show's most notorious plots. Along with Vivian, most of Carly's stories revolve around her ex-husband Bo Brady and late husband Lawrence Alamain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Kiriakis</span> Soap opera character

Justin Kiriakis is a fictional character on the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives. Created by head writer Leah Laiman, he is portrayed by actor Wally Kurth from February 3, 1987, to February 5, 1991. From 2007 to 2008, Justin was mentioned but not seen on screen. Kurth reprised the role again August 10, 2009, remaining in the role for nearly five years before departing on April 3, 2014. However, he once again returned in February 2015. Justin is the nephew of Greek tycoon Victor Kiriakis. Justin married Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis, and together they have three sons while Justin has one by a past romance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ava Vitali</span> Fictional character

Ava Vitali is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Created by and introduced by then-executive producers Ken Corday and Edward J. Scott, the role is portrayed by Tamara Braun, who won a Daytime Emmy Award for the role in 2009. Introduced as a "mysterious woman from Steve's past," Ava was later revealed as a woman from a Mafia family. Ava appeared for six months in 2008, and returned in December 2015 for a three-month guest appearance. Following a brief voice appearance in 2017, Ava returned to the show on a regular basis in November 2020. She departed again on December 20, 2022 and returned on August 8, 2023

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caroline Brady</span> Soap opera character

Caroline Brady is a fictional character from the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional United States town of Salem. Matriarch of the series' Brady family, the character has been continually featured since her debut. Created by writer Margaret DePriest, the role was originated by actress Peggy McCay on February 7, 1983. Jody Carter stepped into the role briefly in 1984, followed by Barbara Beckley from 1984 to 1985. McCay returned to portray Caroline from July 17, 1985, to December 5, 2003, when the character was seemingly murdered by a serial killer. McCay returned in 2004 when Caroline was found alive. She played Caroline for another 12 years; last appearing in August 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciara Brady</span> Soap opera character

Ciara Brady is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Created by Hogan Sheffer and Meg Kelly, the role is portrayed by Victoria Konefal since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theresa Donovan</span> Soap opera character

Theresa Donovan is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Introduced in September 1990, she was portrayed by several child actors until the character left the series in 1992, with further guest appearances in both 1996 and 1997. The character was reintroduced to the series in July 2013, under the portrayal of actress Jen Lilley, best known for her portrayal of Maxie Jones on General Hospital, and departed in November 2016. Lilley reprised the role in May 2018 for a three-month stint, departing again in July. Lilley briefly returned to the role in September 2023, with Emily O'Brien assuming the role in the following month.

References

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  2. "Bo and Hope Timeline". Soap Opera Digest. 2004-03-05. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
  3. Newcomb, Roger (2013-04-20). "Today in Soap Opera History (April 20)". We Love Soaps . Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  4. "Robert Kelker Kelly Bio". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  5. SOD (July 24, 2020). "Five Things That Happened Today In Soap History". Soap Opera Digest . United States: American Media, Inc. p. 3. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  6. "Tom Cruise was rejected from fan favourite role on hit US soap opera". Independent.co.uk . 18 October 2023.
  7. "DAYS: Peter Reckell Exit News". Soap Opera Digest. 2012-06-13. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  8. Masters, Megan (2012-06-13). "TVLine Items: Days Vet Peter Reckell to Exit, Breaking Bad Star's New Gig and More!". TVLine.com. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  9. "Peter Reckell Exits Salem Today". Soap Opera Digest . Soapoperadigest.com. 2012-07-24. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  10. "DAYS EP Ken Corday Confirms Stephen Nichols and Peter Reckell Returning for Series 50th Anniversary! | Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps | Daytime Soap Interviews, News, Updates and Previews, Video and Audio Interviews". Archived from the original on 2015-03-22. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
  11. White-Nobles, Omar (May 28, 2016). "Days of our Lives Scoop: Who's Appearing in the Special Hope Episode? (Exclusive)". TVSource Magazine . United States: SoSource Media LLC . Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  12. Victor mentioned to Caroline that their son's birthdate was his passcode to his phone. September 3, 2015.
  13. "DAYS Daily Recaps Archive: The week of October 29, 2007". Soap Central. SoapCentral. November 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  14. "Soap Opera Scenes". Boca Raton News . South Florida Media Company. August 5, 1983. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  15. "Days of our Lives — Bios — Peter Reckell as Bo Brady". NBC.com. Archived from the original on 2010-05-02. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  16. "Get Episode Recaps & Previews – Days of our Lives – NBC". NBC. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  17. Mason, Charlie (6 October 2020). "Days of Our Lives' 35 Most Memorable Characters Ever [PHOTOS]". Soaps She Knows. Retrieved 11 July 2023.