Yakov Smirnoff
Yakov Smirnoff
Yakov Naumovich Pokhis, better known as Yakov Smirnoff, is a Soviet-born American comedian, actor and writer. After emigrating to the United States in 1977, Smirnoff began performing as a stand-up comic. He eventually gained fame, and he reached his biggest successes in the mid-to-late 1980s, when he also appeared in several films and television shows, including his own 1986–87 sitcom, What a Country!. His comic persona was of a naive immigrant from the Soviet Union who was perpetually confused and...
NationalityRussian
ProfessionComedian
Date of Birth24 January 1951
CityOdessa, Ukraine
CountryRussian Federation
Falling in love is a chemical reaction. But it wears off in a year. That's why you need a strong line of communication... which includes laughter.
When you like something, you find time to do it.
People in Tulsa are totally friendly; the crowds are very nice.
I was this non-threatening funny guy who contrasted the image of the Brezhnevs and the Reagans of the world.
I have American in-laws, and I care about the environment. We don't use disposable diapers, which, of course, creates an environmental problem of our own.
Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.
We have a choice - we can both think and feel, using our heads and our hearts.
To my real estate agent, Chernobyl is a fixer-upper.
As Americans after 9/11, we're much more united, together as a nation, and we got stronger, better, and more at peace. By peace, I mean the harmony you can feel in our united determination to fight these terrorists and killers.
In America you can always find a party. In Russia the party always finds you.
Russian men have a saying: "Women are like buses..." That's it.
Americans think Soviets are so grim. I want them to see that they can smile.
Comedians are always hitting the topical notes that are on everybody's minds.
I came to America to make it my home, and I did.