Yakov Smirnof

YAKOV SMIRNOFF IS A LEGEND
 IN AMERICAN COMEDY.

After escaping communist Soviet Union in the 1977, Yakov came to the United States with nothing

but a dream. Before even learning the language, Yakov humbly began working as a bartender at

the famous Grossinger’s Catskill Resort in New York, where he started telling jokes to his

customers each night. As his English improved, he quickly grew in popularity. He made a daring

move to Hollywood where the owner of The Comedy Store, Mitzi Shore, spotted him and advised

him to stay. She told him, “There is always a place for good and different.”