Background and career
Peter Paul Reckell (born May 7, 1955) 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.
Reckell was born in Elkhart, Indiana, and raised in Okemos, a community in Lansing, Michigan. 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. He graduated in 1977.
Reckell's early credits include stage productions of Oklahoma!, West Side Story, and Moonchildren. Reckell played The Mute in the Off Broadway production of The Fantasticks at New York's Sullivan Street Playhouse. 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. He also made a guest appearance on The Facts of Life in 1982.
Reckell was cast as Bo Brady on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives, first airing on May 3, 1983. 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." Reckell won two Soap Opera Digest Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor for his work on Days, in 1984 and 1985. 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. 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.
During time off from Days, he starred in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar at the Melody Top Theatre in Milwaukee. He also starred in productions of The Pirates of Penzance (playing The Pirate King) and Carousel (playing Billy Bigelow). After leaving Days, Reckell starred in the play Deathtrap at Burt Reynolds Jupiter Theatre. He also appeared in a production of the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in Sacramento. He played Tommy Rivers in the television film Shades of Love: Moonlight Flight. Reckell joined the cast of the CBS series Knots Landing, playing Johnny Rourke from 1988 to 1989.
Reckell returned to Days of Our Lives, first airing April 19, 1990. He signed a long-term contract with the show. He played Danny in the television film Locked Up: A Mother's Rage (1991). In June 1991, Reckell appeared as Andrew in the play Love Letters at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. 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. In August 1992, Reckell starred as Benny in the play Misconduct Allowed at the Tiffany Theater in Los Angeles. 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. In July 1993, he starred in the play Allocating Annie at Conklin's Star Dinner Theater in Illinois. He also guest starred on Baywatch in 1993. Reckell played Ben in the television film Heavenly Road (1994). He guest starred on Women of the House in 1995. 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. Reckell won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Hottest Male Star in 1996. He also guest starred on Hope & Gloria in 1996.
Sources
Net-worth figure: Celebrity Net Worth (October 2026), in USD. Biography and career facts: the person's Wikipedia article and linked reporting. Snapshot date for all StarWorth figures: 28 October 2026.
