Jonathan Yevin
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Yevin is an American humor and travel writer. Yevin is known as the youngest ever staff writer at Spy Magazine, where he worked from 1995 until it folded in 1998. He is also widely recognized as a pioneer of "no-baggage" travel, having embarked on many voyages around the world with only a passport, money, phone and toothbrush.
At Spy Magazine, Yevin made his mark with high concept pranks that were hailed as refreshingly original. The Village Voices James Ledbetter
applauded a 1996 stunt in which Yevin, posing as an octogenarian widow named Mildred Goldstein, offered a cross section of Christian universities $20 million contingent upon their incorporation of her surname into the name of the school.
, New York City. His father was a high school history teacher in the South Bronx. Recognizing that Yevin was extraordinarily gifted, his parents pushed him to apply for the Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology, a public magnet high school in Hackensack, New Jersey. To compensate for his lack of a stimulating curriculum, Yevin began publishing an underground zine called The Fine Print. Taking advantage of an apprenticeship program, he then applied as an editorial intern at Spy Magazine. Soon he was submitting articles to Spy as well as other magazines, such as Scholastic. Yevin's first article was a feature entitled "Straight Outta Wall Street," detailing the various ways gangster rappers invest their money.
Yevin graduated from the Gallatin program at New York University
.
He also joined the Men's Fitness, Drill, Cracked, Stuff, and Penthouse magazine mastheads as a contributing writer.
In one infamous stunt for Frommer's Budget Travel, Yevin traveled from Ecuador to Mexico with no luggage. Yevin has since made a habit of luggageless travel, with follow-up trips in Europe, Africa, and Asia. "The secret of no-luggage travel is that it’s the easiest thing in the world," said Yevin in an interview. "Just do it."
In another piece for Cracked, Yevin tried to collect a $100/head referral fee from the U.S. Army by mass enlisting civil war reenactors, which Chris Mohney of Gawker called "pretty inspired."
During this time Yevin also worked in film production, as an Assistant Director in such projects as the Bob Balaban
feature Bernard and Doris and the Travel Channel
's food special Dahlicious.
Yevin lived in Africa from 2001-2003. Initially he worked for the Zanzibar International Film Festival
(ZIFF), and later on, several Tanzanian safari companies. Eventually he was signed to play basketball for the Stonetown Yankees club team in Zanzibar, leading them to the Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa championship tournament. Later, he played basketball for El Zamalek club team in Cairo, until the coaches found out he was Jewish, accused him of being an Israeli spy, and chased him out of the country.
In 2004, he was employed as a ringside photographer for boxing promoters Don King and Tony Brown.
In 2004-2005 Yevin lived in São Paulo, Brasil, where he was signed to Elite agency as a fashion model. He has modeled for designers Coogi
and Kenneth Cole
, as well as photographer Youssef Nabil
.
Yevin currently runs Modern Urban Design, a New York City-based rooftop gardening and landscape design company.
At Spy Magazine, Yevin made his mark with high concept pranks that were hailed as refreshingly original. The Village Voices James Ledbetter
James Ledbetter
For the Welsh rugby union player of a similar name see James LeadbeaterJames Ledbetter is an author and editor based in New York City. In 2008, he joined online magazine Slate, where he will oversee an upcoming business news Web site called The Big Money . Prior to joining Slate, he was at...
applauded a 1996 stunt in which Yevin, posing as an octogenarian widow named Mildred Goldstein, offered a cross section of Christian universities $20 million contingent upon their incorporation of her surname into the name of the school.
Biography
Yevin was born in the BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, New York City. His father was a high school history teacher in the South Bronx. Recognizing that Yevin was extraordinarily gifted, his parents pushed him to apply for the Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology, a public magnet high school in Hackensack, New Jersey. To compensate for his lack of a stimulating curriculum, Yevin began publishing an underground zine called The Fine Print. Taking advantage of an apprenticeship program, he then applied as an editorial intern at Spy Magazine. Soon he was submitting articles to Spy as well as other magazines, such as Scholastic. Yevin's first article was a feature entitled "Straight Outta Wall Street," detailing the various ways gangster rappers invest their money.
Yevin graduated from the Gallatin program at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
He also joined the Men's Fitness, Drill, Cracked, Stuff, and Penthouse magazine mastheads as a contributing writer.
In one infamous stunt for Frommer's Budget Travel, Yevin traveled from Ecuador to Mexico with no luggage. Yevin has since made a habit of luggageless travel, with follow-up trips in Europe, Africa, and Asia. "The secret of no-luggage travel is that it’s the easiest thing in the world," said Yevin in an interview. "Just do it."
In another piece for Cracked, Yevin tried to collect a $100/head referral fee from the U.S. Army by mass enlisting civil war reenactors, which Chris Mohney of Gawker called "pretty inspired."
During this time Yevin also worked in film production, as an Assistant Director in such projects as the Bob Balaban
Bob Balaban
Robert Elmer "Bob" Balaban is an American actor, author and director.-Personal life:Balaban was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Eleanor and Elmer Balaban, who owned several movie theatres and later was a pioneer in cable television...
feature Bernard and Doris and the Travel Channel
Travel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
's food special Dahlicious.
Yevin lived in Africa from 2001-2003. Initially he worked for the Zanzibar International Film Festival
Zanzibar International Film Festival
The Zanzibar International Film Festival , also known as Festival of the Dhow Countries, is an annual film festival held in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It has been described as the largest cultural event in East Africa. During the festival, films are shown in Stone Town in Zanzibar City, as well as rural...
(ZIFF), and later on, several Tanzanian safari companies. Eventually he was signed to play basketball for the Stonetown Yankees club team in Zanzibar, leading them to the Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa championship tournament. Later, he played basketball for El Zamalek club team in Cairo, until the coaches found out he was Jewish, accused him of being an Israeli spy, and chased him out of the country.
In 2004, he was employed as a ringside photographer for boxing promoters Don King and Tony Brown.
In 2004-2005 Yevin lived in São Paulo, Brasil, where he was signed to Elite agency as a fashion model. He has modeled for designers Coogi
Coogi
Coogi is a fashion label known for its colorful knitwear. Founded in 1969 as Cuggi in Toorak, Melbourne, Australia, the label was renamed in 1987 to sound more like an indigenous Australian name....
and Kenneth Cole
Kenneth Cole (designer)
Kenneth Cole is an American clothing designer. Born in Brooklyn, New York, his father, Charles Cole, owned the El Greco shoe manufacturing company. Before learning the family business and starting his own company in 1982, Cole studied law at Emory University.- Birth of a shoe company :Kenneth Cole...
, as well as photographer Youssef Nabil
Youssef Nabil
Youssef Nabil is an Egyptian artist & photographer.Nabil started his photography career in 1992, short before meeting the American photographer David LaChapelle in Cairo, with whom he worked in New York in 1993....
.
Yevin currently runs Modern Urban Design, a New York City-based rooftop gardening and landscape design company.