Jim Carroll

Autobiographer

Birthday August 1, 1949

Birth Sign Leo

Birthplace New York City, NY

DEATH DATE Sep 11, 2009 (60)

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About

An American author, spoken-word poet and musician, he is best known for his autobiographical work, The Basketball Diaries. He published a second memoir, Forced Entries: The Downtown Diaries 1971-1973, in 1987.

Before Fame

He grew up on the Lower East Side of New York and briefly studied at Columbia University. He published his first poetry collection, Organic Trains, while he was in high school.

Trivia

During his turbulent youth, he led a double life as a star basketball player and a heroin-addicted sex worker.

Family Life

He was born into a working-class, Irish-American family. In 1963, he earned a scholarship to the prestigious Trinity School in New York City.

Associated With

His work, The Basketball Diaries, was adapted into a film starring Leonardo Dicaprio.