Yakov Smirnoff
Yakov Naumovich Pokhis (Russian: Яков Наумович Похис; born 24 January 1951), better known as Yakov Smirnoff (Russian: Яков Смирнов; /ˈsmɪərnɒf/), is a Ukrainian-American comedian, actor and writer of Jewish origin. He began his career as a stand-up comedian in Ukraine, then immigrated to the United States in 1977 in order to pursue an American show business career, not yet knowing any English. He reached his biggest success in the mid-to-late 1980s, appearing in several films and the television sitcom vehicle What a Country!. His comic persona was of a naive immigrant from the Soviet Union who was perpetually confused and delighted by life in the United States. His humor combined a mockery of life under communism and of consumerism in the United States, as well as word play caused by misunderstanding of American phrases and culture, all punctuated by the catchphrase, "And I thought, 'What a country!'" The collapse of communism starting in 1989, and the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, brought an end to Smirnoff's widespread popularity, although he continued to perform. In 1993, he began performing year round at his own theater in Branson, Missouri, where he remained until 2015. He occasionally still performs limited dates at his theater in Branson while touring worldwide. Smirnoff earned a master's degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2006 and a doctorate in psychology and global leadership from Pepperdine University in 2019. He has also taught ...
Heartburn
(1986)
Rachel is a food writer at a New York magazine who meets Washington columnist Mark at a wedding and ends up falling in love with him despite her reservations about marriage. They buy a house, have a daughter, and Rachel thinks they are living happily ever after ... (more)
Rachel is a food writer at a New York magazine who meets Washington columnist Mark at a wedding and ends up falling in love with him despite her reservations about marriage. They buy a house, have a daughter, and Rachel thinks they are living happily ever after ... (more)
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
(1984)
Adventurer/surgeon/rock musician Buckaroo Banzai and his band of men, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, take on evil alien invaders from the 8th dimension. (more)
Adventurer/surgeon/rock musician Buckaroo Banzai and his band of men, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, take on evil alien invaders from the 8th dimension. (more)
The Money Pit (1986)
After being evicted from their Manhattan apartment, a couple buy what looks like the home of their dreams—only to find themselves saddled with a bank-account-draining nightmare. Struggling to keep their relationship together as their rambling mansion falls to ... (more)
After being evicted from their Manhattan apartment, a couple buy what looks like the home of their dreams—only to find themselves saddled with a bank-account-draining nightmare. Struggling to keep their relationship together as their rambling mansion falls to ... (more)
Moscow on the Hudson
(1984)
A Russian circus visits the US. A clown wants to defect, but doesn't have the nerve. His saxophone playing friend however comes to the decision to defect in the middle of Bloomingdales. He is befriended by the black security guard and falls in love with the Italian ... (more)
A Russian circus visits the US. A clown wants to defect, but doesn't have the nerve. His saxophone playing friend however comes to the decision to defect in the middle of Bloomingdales. He is befriended by the black security guard and falls in love with the Italian ... (more)
Awful Nice
(2013)
Estranged brothers Jim and Dave must travel to Branson together when their father dies and leaves them the lake home. A series of hilarious mishaps and costly misadventures follow as they attempt to restore the house and rebuild their relationship. (more)
Estranged brothers Jim and Dave must travel to Branson together when their father dies and leaves them the lake home. A series of hilarious mishaps and costly misadventures follow as they attempt to restore the house and rebuild their relationship. (more)
Yakov Live on Broadway
(2004)
Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff examines the differences between men and women in this one-man show. (more)
Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff examines the differences between men and women in this one-man show. (more)
Brewster's Millions (1985)
Brewster, an aging minor-league baseball player, stands to inherit 300 million dollars if he can successfully spend 30 million dollars in 30 days without anything to show for it, and without telling anyone what he's up to... A task that's a lot harder than it sounds! (more)
Brewster, an aging minor-league baseball player, stands to inherit 300 million dollars if he can successfully spend 30 million dollars in 30 days without anything to show for it, and without telling anyone what he's up to... A task that's a lot harder than it sounds! (more)
Yakov Smirnoff: I Bet You Never Looked At It That Way!
(1994)
Comedian Yakov Smirnoff performing at the Yakov Theater in Branson, Missouri. Once again, using his skills with irony and word play to show the contrast of life here in the United States, and the former Soviet Union, the place of his birth. A lovely walk through ... (more)
Comedian Yakov Smirnoff performing at the Yakov Theater in Branson, Missouri. Once again, using his skills with irony and word play to show the contrast of life here in the United States, and the former Soviet Union, the place of his birth. A lovely walk through ... (more)
Rodney Dangerfield Hosts the 9th Annual Young Comedians Special (1985)
Some of the best new talent is showcased in these annual comedy specials each year. Every show is hosted by a different accomplished comedian. In 1984, the 9th year, the host was the magnificent Rodney Dangerfield. (more)
Some of the best new talent is showcased in these annual comedy specials each year. Every show is hosted by a different accomplished comedian. In 1984, the 9th year, the host was the magnificent Rodney Dangerfield. (more)
Yakov: Live From Branson! (2012)
Yakov Smirnoff stand up show from his theater in Branson, MO. (more)
Yakov Smirnoff stand up show from his theater in Branson, MO. (more)
Yakov Smirnoff: What A Country! (1994)
Yakov Smirnoff delivers some of his best material in this hilarious stand-up comedy special. Audiences have been enjoying his unique brand of comedy for over 25 years, and you'll see why in this side-splitting special! (more)
Yakov Smirnoff delivers some of his best material in this hilarious stand-up comedy special. Audiences have been enjoying his unique brand of comedy for over 25 years, and you'll see why in this side-splitting special! (more)
Yakov Smirnoff: Jokes from the Folks
(2004)
Experience some of the funniest moments from Yakov's "Branson Today" talk show. There's always something funny about Yakov, but there's something even funnier about his audience! (more)
Experience some of the funniest moments from Yakov's "Branson Today" talk show. There's always something funny about Yakov, but there's something even funnier about his audience! (more)