LAMAMIMET

Mark Jay Singer was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1950 and grew up in a family that encouraged his love of writing. He attended Yale University, where he studied under notable writing instructors and graduated with a B.A. in 1972. After college, Singer joined the staff of The New Yorker in 1974, beginning a career that would span over five decades.

During his tenure at the magazine, Singer produced a wide range of pieces, from investigative reports to cultural profiles. His articles on the Penn Square Bank collapse and on the figure Brett Kimberlin were later expanded into books that received praise from The New York Times. In 1993 he wrote a celebrated profile of illusionist Ricky Jay, which was included in an anthology of Life Stories from The New Yorker and continues to be cited as a model of the magazine’s storytelling.

Singer also gained attention for his 1996 profile of Donald Trump, titled "Trump Solo," which offered a critical look at the businessman’s character and finances. The piece was republished in 2005 and resurfaced during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, prompting a public exchange between Singer and Trump. Throughout his career, Singer was respected for his careful reporting, ear for dialogue, and ability to capture the telling detail in his subjects.

He remained active as a writer and contributor until his death at the age of 75 in June 2026, leaving behind a body of work that exemplifies the depth and rigor of long-form journalism.