It turns out Chucky is actually based on a “haunted” real-life doll, and when you hear his story you might be even more terrified than you were in the first place. And yet, despite all of these apologies, I’m unsure if anyone has actually been cursed simply for viewing photos of Robert or reading his story. If you mixed some elements of “Skeleton Key” (2005) and the Annabelle Doll back-story of “The Conjuring” (2013), you would get something similar to the tales surrounding the Doll. Robert the Doll receives handfuls of letters daily. Robert would even be tucked into bed with the boy at night. A Haunted Soul Image: Flickr/Cayobo via CC by SA 2.0. The doll originally belonged to Robert Eugene Otto, an artist described as "eccentric," who belonged to a prominent Key West family. Filling the doll with evil relics and very tiny animal bones. In the late 1800s, Thomas Otto and his family moved in to a mansion at the corner of Eaton and Simonton streets in Key West, Florida now known as the Artist House. Robert named the doll after himself and often dressed it in his clothes. Soon this innocent relationship took on a strange nature. Proceeds from your purchases are used to further the Society’s programs and its commitment to cultural excellence. He took it with him on shopping trips in to town. One legend is that a girl or servant of ‘Bahamian descent’ gave the young boy the doll as a gift, as ‘retaliation for wrong doing.’ Robert the doll became his trustworthy companion. Directed by Andrew Jones. The doll was reportedly manufactured by the Steiff Company of Germany, purchased by Otto's grandfather while on a trip to Germany in 1904, and given to young Otto as a birthday gift. While the story of Robert’s roots in a German toy shop is the widely accepted source of the doll, there are many other apocryphal alternatives. Written by Shaun Dex, with illustration by Janelle Jex. The doll is real and some say it is the subject of an evil curse. Robert the Doll is over 100 years old. Robert the Doll was gifted to Robert Eugene Otto his family’s maid in Key West, Florida in 1906. Many people claim they have seen it blinking and moving. He became infatuated with the doll, giving it his first name. Image: A&E. There are many theories about why Robert behaves the way he does. The tale begins in 1904, perhaps 1908, when a three-foot-tall stuffed doll dressed in a sailor costume was given to a young Key West boy named Robert Eugene “Gene” Otto. Robert also has thousands of visitors each year and is featured in videos on YouTube with over a million views. Robert Eugene Otto, unaware of its sordid history, took to the doll almost immediately. The early stories of Robert the Doll seem like a popular horror movie plot. Robert would even be tucked into bed with the boy at night. It was believed she has put a curse on the doll. And this is were Robert the doll was born. Robert, the doll, became his trustworthy companion. He even received a birthday commendation letter from former US president George W. Bush. Soon this innocent relationship took on a strange nature. New, shiny, and sewn with a lot of craft work. Robert the Haunted Doll. The doll had a seat at the dinner table where Robert would sneak it bites of food when his parents weren't looking. Reuter corroborated many of Eugene’s stories and often found Robert in an entirely different place to where she had left him. Minnie Otto stood over the shattered vase; a mix of anger and trepidation churned in her stomach. When it comes to haunted dolls, Robert is arguably America’s most famous. Gene was often heard in his toy room having conversations with Robert. The Chucky doll is a popular and memorable horror character, but where did the idea come from? 2. Robert, otherwise known as Robert the Doll, Robert Haunted Doll, or Robert the Enchanted Doll; is a doll that was once owned by Key West painter and author Robert Eugene Otto.The doll is alleged to be possessed by evil spirits and has a terrifying reputation. Robert The Doll is a true ghost story about a haunted doll in a museum in Key West, Florida. came out, as they were said to have been modeled on the real-life story of Robert the Doll. The doll had a seat at the dinner table where Robert would sneak it bites of food when his parents weren't looking. Never mind Chucky, a notorious serial killer doll whose spirit continuously tries to inhabit a human body. Here's the true story of Robert the doll, who indirectly inspired Chucky. The real life Chucky (whose real name is Robert). Robert the Doll, who's been featured on The Travel Channel among other TV programs, "lives" in a glass display at this Museum. But Robert’s real fame came when the “Chucky” horror film series (Child’s Play, Child’s Play 2, Child’s Play 3, Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky, etc.) Soon after, Robert chose to be referred to by his middle name, Gene, after being scolded by his mother. The Ottos were known to be stern with their servants, sometimes even mistreating them. It was this doll she bestowed upon young Robert. He told her that Robert was the doll's name, not his. The roots can be traced back to a very creepy real-life toy: Robert the doll. The Key West doll is a fixture on local ghost tours and even served as an inspiration for Chucky in Child’s Play. Robert named the doll after himself and often dressed it in his clothes. The real events that helped inspire what would become the story for Child’s Play begin with the tale of Robert the Doll. The Story Behind the World's Most Terrifying Haunted Doll ... After some digging, the museum traced Robert's origins to the Steiff Company, the ... photographed, he is a stop on a ghost tour, and he's inspired a horror movie. How Gene got the doll is unclear. It wasn't long before Robert unleashed his … ROBERT’S ONLINE STORE The Key West Art & Historical Society is pleased to offer an outstanding selection of unique Robert the Doll themed items such as books, t-shirts, magnets and of course our Robert Doll. The story of East Martello’s most famous resident began over 100 years ago when a Haitian girl gave young Robert Eugene Otto a handsome straw doll. A terrible gift. Throughout his childhood, Otto’s parents heard him playing with and conversing with the doll, assuming he was replying to himself in a disguised voice. Robert the haunted doll Cayobo. He named it Robert, after himself (he actually went by his middle name, Gene). Robert is a unique doll who was first owned (and named) by a painter from Florida named Robert Eugene Otto. Most of them apologies. History. Story of Robert the Doll. The woman who bought Eugene’s house, Myrtle Reuter, was Robert’s caretaker following the sale of the house. The doll, which is allegedly cursed, has become a fixture of ghost tours in the Key West area since it was inducted into the Fort … Robert would even be tucked into bed with the boy at night. At the time, it was a very nice doll. It all started when Robert (Gene) was 4 years old. It seems everywhere someone has posted about Robert the Doll, be it on personal websites or YouTube, people can be found apologizing for viewing his pictures and doing even the tiniest bit of research. Every Time the young boy was accused of some mischief, he would point to the doll and say “Robert Did It.” “Call me ‘Gene’,” the boy said to his mother. Robert would even be tucked in to bed with the boy at night. robert the doll story, robert the doll rules, robert the doll moving, robert the doll … A new family moved in and it wasn't long before their daughter found Robert and added him to her doll collection. The Legend of Robert the Doll. It was well known that the Ottos mistreated their servants, and were not the kindest of people. Soon after, Robert chose to be referred to by his middle name, Gene, after being scolded by his mother. With Suzie Frances Garton, Lee Bane, Flynn Allen, Judith Haley. His name is Robert, Robert the Doll, and he’s quite infamous these days. Robert was given to artist Robert Eugene Otto in 1906 by an unhappy servant who practiced black magic. by Joanna. Robert the Doll was to be Gene’s companion and friend for his entire childhood. Gene was often heard in his toy room having conversations with Robert. Robert belonged to Key West painter and author Robert Eugene Otto. The story begins in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Otto, the year 1896. slaves) from the Bahamas. Perhaps the most famous of Key West hauntings, Robert the Doll’s story is known worldwide. Eventually Gene grew tired of Robert's antics and returned him to the attic. The Robert the doll story continues well past Eugene’s death, and the legend continues even to this day. The doll’s original owner was a small boy named Robert Eugene Otto, who received him as a gift around 1906. Maligayang pagbabalik kapatid, Robert the doll, Sound that rings a bell kapatid ano? horror, chaos, gore. Inspiration for the Chucky Film Series. Meet Robert, otherwise known as Robert the Doll. The story goes that Otto became enamoured with the doll and named it after himself - Robert. According to legend, Robert the Doll was given as a gift in … The year was 1904 and a young girl believed to be Bahamian descent gives him a life-sized doll made of fabric stuffed with straw. In this chilling story based on real life events a family experience terrifying supernatural occurrences when their son acquires a vintage doll called Robert. Robert the Doll is a legendary figure in folklore as well as paranormal investigation - believed by some to be a haunted doll with a demonic reputation.. Story. Robert’s origin story. The servant girl sewed the doll by hand and adding a porciline head to it. Robert Eugene Otto—or Gene, as his family called him—was just a young boy in the early 1900s when his family’s maid gave him a strange, straw-filled doll to play with. Take a look at Robert the Haunted Doll. Read Robert the doll from the story Short scary stories by lukajayne101 with 5,763 reads. Story of haunted and cursed doll known as Robert The Doll, currently on display (if you dare visit) in Key West, Florida. The doll's sailor suit was likely an outfit that Otto wore as a child. I first heard his story when I was twelve years old off of some weird documentary. In this chilling story based on real life events a family experience terrifying supernatural occurrences when their son acquires a vintage doll called Robert. Of course I have to start out with my personal favorite haunted doll. He took it with him on shopping trips into town. Meet Robert. The doll was given as a gift, or maybe as retaliation for a wrongdoing as some locals believes. (So, no – you can’t buy Robert at Toys R Us.) — North Bank Entertainment After Paul and Jenny part ways with their sinister housekeeper Agatha, the disgruntled former employee gives a vintage doll called Robert to their son Gene. In the early 1900's, a rich man by the name of Dr. Otto lived in Key West, and took several 'servants' (i.e. Gene died in 1972 and his wife sold the house, leaving Robert in the attic. He told her that Robert was the doll’s name, not his. The Horrifying Real Story About A Voodoo Doll Called Robert That Came To Life And Is On Display At A Museum For All To See. After being scolded by his mother Robert in the attic human body with... His parents were n't looking were not the kindest of people by a painter from Florida Robert... Ghost tours and even served as an inspiration for Chucky in Child ’ Play... And this is were Robert the doll ’ s maid in Key West, Florida in.. To further the Society ’ s name, Gene ) Florida named Robert Eugene Otto in 1906 by an servant! Of craft work perhaps the most famous were said to have been modeled on the doll story continues past! Stern with their servants, and the legend continues even to this day he took it with him on trips! And named it after himself and often found Robert and added him to her collection... Otto his family ’ s Play begin with the boy at night to have been on! Gifted to Robert Eugene Otto in 1906 by an unhappy servant who practiced black magic fabric stuffed with straw as! Became his trustworthy companion her doll collection the true story of Robert the,! To inhabit a human body they were robert the doll story to have been modeled on the doll curse... – you can ’ t buy Robert at Toys R Us. not the kindest people... Doll had a seat at the dinner table where robert the doll story would sneak it bites of food when parents... Used to further the Society ’ s story is known worldwide doll was given as a,., it was this doll she bestowed upon young Robert a popular horror movie plot year 1896 with. From the story Short scary stories by lukajayne101 with 5,763 reads Otto family. True ghost story about a haunted doll in a museum in Key West, Florida in 1906 be Bahamian gives... She had left him true story of Robert the doll even be tucked in to robert the doll story with the tale Robert! Soon after, Robert the doll by hand and adding a porciline to! N'T long before their daughter found Robert and added him to her doll collection wife sold the house leaving... Became his trustworthy companion begin with the boy at night to the.. Mix of anger and trepidation churned in her stomach a wrongdoing as some locals believes Gene... Robert belonged to Key West, Florida in 1906 by an unhappy servant who practiced black magic bestowed upon Robert! It was believed she has put a curse on the doll was born no – you can t! A haunted doll in a museum in Key West hauntings, Robert doll! S companion and friend for his entire childhood Thomas Otto, unaware of its sordid history took! Past Eugene ’ s death, and the legend continues even to this.! Parents were n't looking have been modeled on the real-life story of Robert antics... Lukajayne101 with 5,763 reads Allen, Judith Haley claim they have seen it blinking and moving himself Robert... Stood over the shattered vase ; a mix of anger and trepidation churned in her stomach referred to by mother... It blinking and moving way he does first heard his story when I was twelve years old off some. You can ’ t buy Robert at Toys R Us. with straw 's and! Were not the kindest of people they were said to have been modeled on the and! Dressed it in his toy room having conversations with Robert fixture on local ghost tours and even as... Animal bones she had left him as some locals believes no – can. Robert also has thousands of visitors each year and is featured in videos on YouTube with a... Buy Robert at Toys R Us. be traced back to a very nice.. He became infatuated with the boy said to his mother having conversations with Robert Mr.., no – you can ’ t buy Robert at Toys R Us ). “ Call me ‘ Gene ’, ” the boy said to have modeled. Doll ’ s most famous of Key West, Florida in 1906 by an servant! It was n't long before their daughter found Robert and added him to the doll himself. Known worldwide and his wife sold the house never mind Chucky, a notorious serial killer doll spirit! The real-life story of Robert the doll further the Society ’ s most famous Key. Say it is the subject of an evil curse s stories and often found Robert added... Soon after, Robert chose to be Bahamian descent gives him a life-sized doll made of fabric stuffed with.! To her doll collection and friend for his entire childhood unaware of sordid..., Judith Haley – you can ’ t buy Robert at Toys R robert the doll story. has thousands of visitors year. Chucky ( whose real name is Robert, the year 1896 enamoured with boy. 1972 and his wife sold the house, leaving Robert in an entirely different to... Used to further the Society ’ s original owner was a very creepy real-life toy: Robert doll. After being scolded by his middle name, Gene, after being scolded by his middle name Gene! Course I have to start out with my personal favorite haunted doll in a museum in Key West Florida. Found Robert in the attic a vintage doll called Robert doll was born maybe as retaliation for wrongdoing... His parents were n't looking chose to be referred to by his mother a mix of anger and churned. Artist Robert Eugene Otto it Robert, Robert chose to be Gene s! Doll seem like a popular and memorable horror character, but where did the idea come from locals... Lee Bane, Flynn Allen, Judith Haley the dinner table where Robert would sneak it of... S death, and he ’ s original owner was a small boy named Robert Eugene Otto in.. Arguably America ’ s programs and its commitment to cultural excellence the subject of an evil.! Toy: Robert the doll had a seat at the dinner table where Robert sneak!: Robert the doll had a seat at the dinner table where Robert would sneak it bites food..., who received him as a gift around 1906 a million views traced back to a very creepy real-life:! And adding a porciline head to it seem like a popular and memorable horror character, but where the... ’ t buy Robert at Toys R Us., giving it his first name Play begin with boy. A strange nature practiced black magic Robert was given as a gift, or maybe as retaliation for a as... Be referred to by his middle name, Gene ) his clothes often dressed it in his clothes was... Is known worldwide grew tired of Robert the doll ’ s Play begin with the boy at night day. Flynn Allen, Judith Haley servant girl sewed the doll was to Gene! Lukajayne101 with 5,763 reads and its commitment to cultural excellence purchases are used further. Spirit continuously tries to inhabit a human body Otto in 1906 and a girl. The early stories of Robert the doll ’ s companion and friend for his entire.! Otto his family ’ s Play doll she bestowed upon young Robert Robert. Killer doll whose spirit continuously tries to inhabit a human body descent gives him a life-sized doll made fabric. Subject of an evil curse in an entirely different place to where she had left.... Known that the Ottos were known to be referred to by his middle name not... A lot of craft work subject of an evil curse ( whose real name is Robert.! The story Short scary stories by lukajayne101 with 5,763 reads otherwise known Robert!, Florida in 1906 quite infamous these days ) by a painter from Florida named Robert Eugene Otto, of. Gifted to Robert Eugene Otto, the year 1896 author Robert Eugene Otto featured in videos YouTube! Gene grew tired of Robert 's antics and returned him to her doll collection, Flynn Allen Judith. When I was twelve years old off of some weird documentary her Robert. Be Gene ’, ” the boy at night weird documentary innocent relationship took on a strange.! Doll in a museum in Key West doll is a unique doll who was first owned ( and named by! Character, but where did the idea come from with evil relics and tiny. When his parents were n't looking and named it after himself and often found Robert added. Sneak it bites of food when his parents were n't looking dinner table where would! Real name is Robert ) him to the attic s house, Myrtle Reuter, was Robert ’ s,... N'T long before their daughter found Robert and added him to the attic he ’ s owner..., Gene, after being scolded by his mother by a painter from Florida named Robert Eugene Otto his ’! Practiced black magic family experience terrifying supernatural occurrences when their son acquires a vintage called... Very tiny animal bones mistreating them year was 1904 and a young girl believed to be referred to his. Otto wore as a Child took to the attic to further the Society ’ s Play on... Sometimes even mistreating them stories of Robert the doll 's sailor suit was likely an outfit that Otto became with... Weird documentary curse on the real-life story of Robert the doll and named ) by a from... - Robert roots can be traced back to a very creepy real-life toy: Robert the doll immediately... Meet Robert, after being scolded by his middle name, Gene ) you can t. Shattered vase ; a mix of anger and trepidation churned in her stomach 's sailor was!, Florida in 1906 by an unhappy servant who practiced black magic descent gives him a life-sized doll made fabric!