"Days of Our Lives" Actor Peter Reckell Misses Playing Bo Brady

Former "Day of Our Lives" star Peter Reckell

NBC / Mitchell Haaseth

It was the end of an era in 2015 for Days of Our Lives when actor Peter Reckell left the show for good when his character, Bo Brady, died. After 23 years as Beauregard Aurelius Brady, known simply as Bo, the actor taped his final scenes on July 25, 2015. He had left the show in 2013 only to return in 2015, when he died in the arms of his great love, Hope.

Since then, Reckell has had a limited engagement starring in The Fantasticks in September 2016 and has since devoted himself to spending time with his family. He admits he misses playing Bo, and he has assured fans that he will keep on acting.

A Final Goodbye, A Bittersweet Moment

Leaving Days of Our Lives for good was a bittersweet moment for Reckell. “Nobody’s going to miss Bo more than me,” insisted Reckell, who had to deal with separation anxiety. He took to Twitter "to tell people that [those days before his departure] had been trying." The following weekend, he took a break "because it was so difficult,” as he put it.

He had spent the final day cleaning out his dressing room at the show's Burbank studio complex.

“I’ve been here for two hours, and I just got through the second drawer in my desk,” Reckell chuckled, while in the midst of cleaning up and moving out. He found a few treasures among the paper clips, pencils, and assorted junk; including a card from deceased co-star Frances Reid (ex-Alice) that read: "Keep on acting, you’re good at it."

Mixed Emotions

Reckell had mixed emotions about leaving Days. On the one hand, it was an exciting opportunity to move on, explore, and see what other challenges are out there. On the other, saying goodbye to Bo wasn't easy.

Before heading to the studio, Reckell had a heart-to-heart with his wife, Kelly Moneymaker. They discussed the "astounding support and love" he got during the period leading up to his ultimate departure. “I have the best fans," he said. 

Devoted Fans Sent Goodbye Gifts

Those devoted fans sent Reckell dozens of goodbye gifts to commemorate and thank him for his portrayal of Bo, a character that catapulted Reckell to daytime fame when he joined the soap in 1983. “There were bottles of wine and cakes and chocolates, all kinds of celebratory stuff,” he recalls. Among the cakes, there was one decorated with pictures of Bo from 1983 to 2012 and another with photos of Bo and Hope (actress Kristian Alfonso) that read: Holding out “Hope” for our hero to return. We Love You Peter, Team Bope!

“The fans also sent me an eco-tour of Orange County,” continues Reckell. “You read it, and it’s quite astounding. The preserves, the oceans, the bird watching, and all that kind of stuff that you really can do in Orange County." 

Castmate Peggy McCay, who played Reckell’s TV mom, Caroline, sent him off with a goodbye present, too. “Peggy gave me a lovely little gift; cologne and things,” notes Reckell. “She’s just so sweet. She always gives [my daughter] Loden gifts on the holidays and on her birthday. She’s like a grandmom. She’s so classy. I just love her.” McCay left the show in the fall of 2016.

After His Departure

Immediately after Reckell left, he and his wife, Kelly, and their daughter, Loden, spent a couple of weeks with his folks in Michigan, then they visited Kelly’s parents in Alaska. The family time was followed by vacation time in Costa Rica. "We’re just trying to figure out what we’re going to do with the rest of our lives, what’s next for us,” he said at the time.

Fans of Reckell, no doubt, are hoping their favorite leading man will keep on acting so that they won’t be missing him for long.