Yakov Smirnoff

After escaping the communist Soviet Union in 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, "Ther

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Yakov Smirnoff