According to Orival Pessini, Fofão was created at the request of TV Globo director José Bonifácio de Oliveira Sobrinho (a.k.a.

[3][4] The legend suggested that the doll contained a knife inside its body, purportedly intended for nefarious rituals and harming children.

The mystery was partially validated when it was discovered that the doll did indeed have a pointed hard plastic piece acting as its spinal cord.

In 2016, Fofão experienced a resurgence in popularity on the internet thanks to a group of street performers called “Carreta Furacão,” which became a viral meme in Brazil.

The group featured various amateur artists dressed as popular culture icons, including Popeye, Captain America, Mickey Mouse, and Fofão himself, among others.