I snapped a photo of Robert The Doll before reading that he puts curses on anyone who takes his photograph. Uh oh. Surely it’s just a myth, I thought. Curious, I began reading about the doll’s history. In 1903, Robert was given to four-year old Gene Otto, who lived in Key West. As Gene grew up he blamed everything bad that happened on the doll. By the time Gene was married, Robert had taken the blame for a lifetime of lies, misdeeds, and mischief.
Some say Robert’s face had begun to change by the time Gene died in 1974, that his eyes grew more expressive. People insisted that the doll moved around and could be heard giggling behind their backs. Many who came in contact with Robert experienced bad luck, as if the doll was getting even for all the years he had been made a scapegoat. The curse of Robert The Doll grew into such a well-known legend in Key West that whenever things went wrong, locals would simply shrug and say, “Blame it on Robert.” 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.) came out, as they were said to have been modeled on the real-life story of Robert the Doll.
There are many theories about why Robert behaves the way he does. Some believe it is an ancient curse. Others say it is voodoo. Still others insist that Gene Otto’s ghost has returned to the doll whom he loved so much. The museum cats seem to believe in Robert’s dark powers – they keep their distance when staring up at the glass case in East Martello Museum where Robert is enthroned. People, on the other hand, tend to doubt the legend, and have suffered the consequences. Letters scattered at Robert’s feet and tacked up on an adjacent wall are testimonials from dozens of unbelievers who were cursed by Robert The Doll, such as this one:
Since our visit to the museum, we’ve been under a dark cloud.
I began to develop a rather severe toothache. Two days later, Hurricane Charly cut our vacation short and we joined the parade of evacuees leaving the islands. We were evacuated from our vacation spot three days early with my mouth in tremendous pain. My sister-in-law was also having female health issues. We were all forced to make alternate travel arrangements on the run.
My sister-in-law lives in Clearwater. After a problem laden and horrendous trip, she finally got home, only to be evacuated from there too. She packed up her two cats and headed for her parents house in Winter Haven and ended up in the middle of the storm there. They lost power for two days.
When we arrived in Miami for our flight back to Indianapolis, the plane broke and they had to “find” a different one for us. The following day, back in Indiana, I went to the dentist to learn that my tooth had abscessed and I had to have a root canal.
Last night we had a huge thunderstorm. Our house was hit by lightning – not once, but TWICE! We were unplugging things, but not fast enough. We lost three TV’s and a large satellite dish. The first hit, which sounded like a gunshot in the house, took one large TV and the satellite dish, and the second hit got two more TV’s. Again, the sound was horribly frightening.
Please do me a favor and tell Robert that we did not mean to anger or offend him and we’re sorry if we did. His photo did turn out good, so he sat very nicely for me. Would he like it back?
Yours sincerely,
Cindy Lyons
Battle Ground, Indiana
As for me, well, Robert and I were introduced several days ago and so far I’ve suffered no ill effects. But then, I’m not taking any chances. Like the cats, I choose to believe.
sorry messed up on the question . if robert really is cursed cant someone try and break it too help the soul move on ?
not being mean but if robert really is cursed than arnt there people who can breake a curse ? last time i checked so why havent any of them tryed too help the soul move on ?
If the orner on the dool hade a kid can they take it home with them
im sorry to robert im getting scared because i insulted him and im afrade to leave my living room i beg his forgivness what do i do
You need to right a apology letter to robert
I’ll bet it’s possessed by some kind of evil entity, a Jinn or some type of Devil.
I respect the Doll in itself, and I don’t doubt people did indeed get cursed, but by a Doll?
It’s a bit creepy
I know.I a respect the Doll and things but if the thing giggleing and moveing thats a bit scarey.Its a hormovie all over again. Poor Robert.
sum highly dount that the robert doll can and would be real if he is then y hasnt he just left hiz home and find another place or z it just a soul left behind can BE A CURSE BUT UNTIL FATHER NOTICE HE IZ KINDA FAKE TO SUM
dont get me wrong to me he iz very real and i would luv to get a pic of hiz face changin
I really do believe in him cuz at first at school i didnt but now tht im actually learninng more about him im getting a strange and scary sense hes real especailly with all of the other ppl being cursed cuz thousands of ppl cant just fake it and for a doll to survive that long gosh its so real
i acually got chills down my spine
went did this happesnd if you need to talke to me call me at 239-601-2649! plaess call me wen you can i am 12 and i ready BUT him?
You say what now?
Slightly spooky touch of Dorian Gray there.
i think it sounds like chucky.. but i still believe
The movie “Chucky” is actually based on Robert’s story :0)
Ellray, I didn’t know that! Thanks so much for sharing that fact.
Where’s your proof?
That’s what I thought.
Not true, at all.
Ha Ha very funny – especially from someone who uses the pseudonym John Smith
And what do you mean the cats belived? or whatever?
i am a 13 year old girl, i live in front royal virgina and my name is savannah, i my self would love to meet robert. do you have any advice on how to get there and what do i say when i do meet robert? say hi? or something?
Hi Savannah: Robert the Doll is displayed in a glass case in a museum in Key
West, so perhaps you can talk your parents into taking a vacation there this
summer. As to what you say to him, I will have to leave that up to you.
you could drive here. herp derp.
Just say hi and be polite to him. I just saw him two days ago on a doom kind of trip for people on vacation.
If you would not like to be cursed ask him to take a picture with him. If he tilts his head, that means yes. If he does not do anything that means no. If you refuse and take a picture anyway, you will be cursed of bad luck forever.
Just ask to take a picture with him savannah if he tilts his head it means yes does nothing it’s a no you take one anyway your cursed
Wow dude, this is really nice info, appreciated.
just kidding plz dont kill me again ROBERT!
i love Robert! he is the most cutest thing you will ever see! and i know what your thinking…..no i am not just saying that to not get cursed im saying it because ……well i AM saying it to not get cursed …..WHO WOULDN’T!
i plan to go vist rob, idk this seems so sad.
As a cat lover myself I trust their instincts, as they really can see things I can not, and have proven that fact to me often. The concept of a doll being “cursed” is novel, unless there is a bit of voodoo involved, however I will trust the cats myself….
The laws of averages do dictate that some people will definitely suffer some form of misfortune soon after viewing the doll, and their letters just add fuel to the fire, dopesn’t it just?
Dear Robert, i am sorry if i offended you in any way, i’m sorry if i looked at your pictures and for anything that i did that offended you, please forgive my friends if they mock you or offend you in any way, they don’t know how to apologize, i hope that you can forgive me and my friends if we do that by accident, i will not lose respect for you and i mean no offence
I don’t know what to think, but I’ll also be like the cats if I ever go and see the doll: I’ll keep my distance and I won’t put myself in any possible risk even if the curse is imaginary. And if so many letters asking forgiveness have been sent to the museum asking forgiveness it means that something strange is happening to all of those people that made the same mistake. I’m not saying that I believe though.
i never knew there was a curse that he could give you.. i know that he is real but i doint think he is evil like most ppl think. i love the story about him and i would do anything to go visit him and pay my respects. =)
I usually believe in this sort of thing, but Robert the Doll sounds like an updated, modern version of the ‘Bloody Mary’ legend. Come ON people! Get OVER it, gosh!
I find that Florida is perfect as a holiday destination not only because of Disney World and the miles of beaches, but also because of the many wilderness and adventure experiences that one can enjoy.
DEAR ROBERT:I am very sorry for looking at your pictures please don’t put the curse on me and you are really cool