In reality Robert Eugene Otto (Gene) kept Robert by his side until his death in 1974. It is rumored that Otto's wife, Anne, was driven insane by her husband's lifelong devotion to the doll.
In the real life case Robert Eugene Otto (Gene) was first given Robert the Doll in 1906, when he was just six years old, by an angry Bahamian servant with an interest in black magic and voodoo. It was rumored that the gift was the servant's revenge for being mistreated by the Otto family.
Visitors to the East Martello Museum in Key West where Robert is now on display must ask for the doll's permission before taking a photograph. Anyone who chooses to take a picture without the doll's permission will apparently be cursed for all eternity. There are numerous letters displayed on the wall of the museum from people asking Robert to remove the curse he placed on them. Note: The doll used in the movie is NOT the doll on display in Key West.
In the real life case the first name of the young child depicted in this film was actually Robert. The child named the doll Robert and insisted everyone refer to him by his middle name Eugene or Gene.
Robert the Doll was allegedly the inspiration for Chucky, the doll featured in the horror film series Child's Play.