Jimmy Keene Net Worth $25 Million Fortune, The Man Behind 'Black Bird
James "Jimmy" Keene is a well-known American author and businessman, famous for his book In With the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption.
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His incredible life story is about redemption and change, and it became the inspiration for the Apple TV+ series Black Bird. The show, based on his 2010 memoir, follows his journey from a high school football star to working as an undercover Operative for the FBI.
Jimmy Keene Early Life and Family
Jimmy Keene was born in Kankakee, Illinois. He was a talented athlete and was recruited by four major colleges to play football. However, he decided to attend a college in Chicago, where he also wrestled. Keene went to Kankakee Eastridge School for his early education and later graduated from the University of Arizona. He had a close relationship with his father, James Keene, who was a police chief. Sadly, his father passed away in 2004, but Keene continues to honor him, calling him his "hero."
Jimmy Keene Net Worth and Success
Jimmy Keene has an estimated net worth of $25 millionas of 2025. His earnings comes from his successful business ventures, writing career, and the TV series.. His memoir was adapted into the TV series Black Bird, with Apple TV+ and Paramount reportedly paying $10 million for the rights. He was also an executive producer for the series.
| Name | Jimmy Keene |
| Net Worth | $25 Million |
| Income / Salary | $4 Million – $5 Million |
| Paid By Apple TV Series | $10 Million |
| Income Source | Author and Businessman |
| Last Update | 2025 |
What Was happened with James “Jimmy” Keene ?
In 1996, Keene was sentenced to ten years in prison for his involvement in a drug operation ( a conspiracy charge). But, just a few months into his sentence, the FBI made him an offer: he could either serve his full sentence or go undercover to gain the trust of suspected serial killer Larry Hall. The mission was risky—he was asked to befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall in a maximum-security facility and convince him to confess to multiple murders and reveal the locations of the victims' bodies. In return for his cooperation, Keene would get an early release.
Despite the dangers, Keene agreed to the deal. He was transferred to the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, where he began the task of gaining Hall’s trust. Slowly but surely, Keene got Hall to admit to killing Tricia Lynn Reitler, a 19-year-old woman, in 1993. However, Hall refused to reveal where her body was hidden.
In a pivotal moment, Keene claimed he saw Hall carving wooden falcons in the prison workshop, each one placed on a map of Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, with red dots marking places Hall referred to as “watching over the dead.” Believing this was enough evidence to fulfill his end of the bargain and secure his release, Keene confronted Hall, revealing his true feelings. “I told him he was a sicko,” Keene recalled. “You are one of the most despicable forms of human life on this planet.” The confrontation resulted in Keene being placed in solitary confinement, and by the time he was released, the map and falcons had disappeared.
Even so, the authorities believed Keene had done enough to earn his early freedom. He was released in 1999 after serving just 17 months of his ten-year sentence.
Keene later shared that he was proud his story, through his book, had helped reopen several cold case investigations linked to Hall. After his release, Keene found success in real estate and even had discussions with Brad Pitt about adapting his memoir into a movie. “I did a good deed and a lot of good things,” Keene said in a 2012 interview. “And this is where I believe the redemption begins. I’ve done something good for the mistakes I made.”
The Rise of a New Life
After leaving prison, Keene turned his life around. He became a successful real estate investor and was even in talks with Brad Pitt about making a movie of his story. His memoir became a bestseller, and his book helped reopen cold cases linked to Hall’s crimes.
Where Is Jimmy Keene Now?
Keene now lives in Chicago and Los Angeles. He continues to appear in TV interviews and specials about his life, especially his involvement with Larry Hall. He even made a cameo in the final episode of Black Bird. Keene is also passionate about raising awareness about redemption and second chances.
Through his remarkable journey, Keene shows that even the toughest situations can be overcome, and change is possible with hard work, courage, and a willingness to grow.
