James “Jimmy” Keene is an American author and executive producer whose real-life experiences inspired the acclaimed true-crime narrative Black Bird on Apple TV+ (based on his memoir). He has written multiple books, including In with the Devil and The Chicago Phoenix, that draw on his unusual journey and work with federal authorities.
Keene’s story has resonated globally with audiences interested in criminal justice and redemption. As a public figure, he continues to engage readers and viewers through his writing and media projects rooted in factual true-crime subjects.
Early Life
Jimmy Keene was born in Kankakee, Illinois, to James “Big Jim” Keene and Lynn Keene. His father was a highly decorated police officer, and his mother, a former beauty queen, owned a local restaurant. Keene grew up one of four children; his parents divorced when he was about 10 years old, after which he took on significant responsibility in helping to support his family.
He later described his childhood as “dirt poor,” growing up on Chicago’s South Side during a time of very high unemployment. Keene attended Kankakee Eastridge High School, where he excelled both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. Unusually, he was a strong chess player from a young age; in fact, he won local chess championships.
At Eastridge he was a standout athlete. He lettered in three sports, football, wrestling and track, and served as captain of both the football and wrestling teams. Classmates nicknamed him “the assassin” for his competitive intensity.
In high school he was voted the Most Valuable Player in both football and wrestling, and he also practiced martial arts during this period. After high school Keene continued his education in Illinois. He enrolled in a junior college known for its athletics, and later went on to complete a master’s degree at a university.
These formative years in Kankakee, marked by a working-class family, athletic success in school sports, and early academic achievement, shaped his early life before his later adult life unfolded.
| Fact Category | Verified & Important Fact |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James “Jimmy” Keene |
| Place of Birth | Born in Kankakee, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Author, executive producer, entrepreneur |
| Known For | Real-life story behind the Apple TV+ series Black Bird |
| FBI Cooperation | Worked undercover with the FBI while incarcerated |
| Books Authored | In with the Devil, Black Bird, The Chicago Phoenix, The Wanderer |
| Television Role | Executive producer and consultant on Black Bird |
| Business Ventures | Owner of a private real estate development company |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5M–$25M as of 2026 |
Professional Beginnings
Jimmy Keene first came to public attention through his cooperation with federal law enforcement while in prison. In 1996 he had been convicted on drug related charges and sentenced to ten years, but about seven months into his term he was offered a deal by prosecutors.
Keene agreed to transfer undercover to a high security prison and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall, gathering information that could block Hall’s appeal. He succeeded in this mission and, as promised, the authorities released him after roughly 17 months and expunged his record. This extraordinary experience became the foundation of Keene’s career and public profile.
After regaining his freedom, Keene turned to writing to tell his story. In 2010 he co authored a memoir titled In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption.
The book detailed his undercover work for the FBI and its aftermath, establishing Keene as an author and drawing national attention to his case.
Role Progression & Industry Contributions
Following his first memoir, Keene continued to build a career in writing and media. He authored additional books about his experiences and related crime stories. He released a second memoir (Black Bird: One Man’s Freedom Hides in Another Man’s Darkness in 2022) and later a third memoir (The Chicago Phoenix in 2023).
He also branched into television production. Notably, he served as an executive producer and creative consultant on the Apple TV+ limited series Black Bird (2022), which was based on his undercover case.
At the same time, Keene pursued other business ventures. Public filings and media reports indicate that he now heads a private real estate development company and owns several other businesses. He has also entered deals with major film studios, including Paramount Pictures, for producing content.
In sum, Keene’s career evolved from authoring books to encompassing roles as a media producer and entrepreneur, with responsibilities in both entertainment and real estate.
Notable Career Milestones
Keene’s first memoir in 2010 was a major milestone that launched his public career. The success of In with the Devil brought widespread media attention. In 2012 NBC’s Dateline aired a special called “The Inside Man” about his case, and CNN produced a documentary To Catch a Serial Killer featuring his efforts.
These national television programs helped establish him as a notable figure in the true crime genre. A breakthrough came in 2022 when Apple TV+ released Black Bird, a miniseries dramatizing Keene’s undercover mission. Keene was credited as an executive producer on the series and made a cameo appearance in the final episode.
The show was a critical success. At the 2024 Emmy Awards it won two Emmys for Outstanding Cinematography and Supporting Actor, and it earned acting awards at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice ceremonies for its cast.
This adaptation brought Keene’s story to a global audience and earned industry recognition. Keene has continued publishing new books in recent years. In April 2023 he released The Chicago Phoenix: Jimmy Keene’s Untold Story, which details his early life and rise out of adversity.
In October 2024 he published The Wanderer: Bigamy, Deceit, and Murder, a crime novel set in Nashville. Altogether, these four books mark his most significant literary achievements to date.
Current Position & Ongoing Initiatives
Today, Jimmy Keene’s career spans media and business. He leads a private real estate development company and several other business ventures, while remaining active in the entertainment industry.
He continues to work as a producer and consultant on film and television projects. Public filings note that he has development deals with major studios such as Paramount Pictures. On the writing side, his latest published book is The Wanderer (2024), and no new book releases have been announced since then.
As of 2025 to 2026, Keene maintains his professional profile through these ongoing roles. He oversees his companies and collaborates with producers on adaptations of his life story, and he occasionally appears in the media to discuss his experience.
In sum, Keene’s current career is defined by his work as an author, an executive producer in film and television, and an entrepreneur, all built on the notoriety of his FBI informant experience.
Jimmy Keene Net Worth
As of 2026, sources estimate Jimmy Keene’s net worth to be roughly between $5 million and $25 million. He earned income as an author: his 2010 memoir about his undercover FBI work was adapted into the Apple TV+ series Black Bird (reportedly selling TV rights for about $10 million) and he served as an executive producer on the series. He has also worked as a consultant on criminal-profiling projects and owns a real estate development company. These figures come from entertainment media sources and have not been verified by major financial outlets.
FAQs
Q1: Who is James “Jimmy” Keene?
James “Jimmy” Keene is an American author and executive producer known for his true-crime memoirs and for inspiring the Apple TV+ series Black Bird.
Q2: What is Jimmy Keene famous for?
He is best known for his undercover cooperation with the FBI while in prison and for authoring In with the Devil, which was adapted into Black Bird.
Q3: Where was Jimmy Keene born?
Jimmy Keene was born in Kankakee, Illinois, United States.
Q4: What books has Jimmy Keene written?
His books include In with the Devil (2010), Black Bird (2022), The Chicago Phoenix (2023), and The Wanderer (2024).
Q5: Is Black Bird based on a true story?
Yes, Black Bird is based on Jimmy Keene’s real-life undercover experience with the FBI while incarcerated.
Q6: Did Jimmy Keene work with the FBI?
Yes, while serving a prison sentence, he cooperated with federal authorities to gather information from a suspected serial killer.
