Who Is Yakov Smirnoff? Wiki, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Ethnicity

Yakov Smirnoff is a comedian, writer, and actor from Ukraine. He immigrated to the United States and became a citizen of the country. He has appeared in numerous films, including The Money Pit, Brewster’s Millions, Heartburn, and Moscow on the Hudson. He is also a painter who has shown his work at numerous events.

Quick Facts

Yakov Smirnoff Biography

Yakov Naumovich Pokhis was born in Odessa, Ukraine, on January 24, 1951. (former the Soviet Union). He is Klara and Naum Pokhis’s son. He and his parents arrived in New York City in 1977. He earned his master’s degree from the Penn College of Liberal and Professional Studies in 2006. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree. Smirnoff also received his doctorate from Pepperdine University in 2019.

Yakov Smirnoff Age, Height, Weight

Yakov Smirnoff was born on January 24, 1951, and is 71 years old as of  2022. His height is 1.81 m, and he weighs 80 kg.

Career

Yakov Smirnoff used to be an art teacher at Odesa Pedagogical University in Ukraine. He was also a comedian who performed on ships on occasion. When he first arrived in the United States, he worked as a bartender and a busboy. He began performing stand-up comedy in the late 1970s. As a result, he was given the surname “Smirnoff.” He moved to Los Angeles in the 1980s and has frequently performed at The Comedy Store.

He made his film debut as Lev in Moscow on the Hudson in 1984. He appeared in the film The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension the same year. Smirnoff went on to star in the comedy film Brewster’s Millions in 1985.

He went on to play Shatov in The Money Pit in 1986. That same year, he appeared in the comedy-drama film Heartburn. From 1986 to 1987, Smirnoff appeared on the TV show What a Country! In 1989, he appeared in the film Up Your Alley. In 1990, the actor was also credited in the TV series Night Court.

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Aside from that, he hosted a party featuring President Ronald Reagan in 1987. Later, he was the main attraction at the White House correspondents’ dinner. He has been entertaining over 5 million people in his own theatre since 1993. Smirnoff has also appeared on television shows such as The Simpsons and King of the Hill.

In 2003, he appeared on Broadway in the play As Long as We Both Shall Laugh. He also taught at Missouri State University and Drury University. In 2016, he co-produced and starred in the PBS comedy special Happily Ever Laughter. He frequently depicted the Statue of Liberty in his paintings. He has even contributed to AARP Magazine.

Yakov Smirnoff Achievements and Awards

Despite working in the entertainment industry for many years, Yakov Smirnoff has never won an award. However, being a successful comedian and actor is one of his most notable career accomplishments.

Yakov Smirnoff’s Net Worth in 2022

Yakov Smirnoff’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million as of June 2022. Yacob Smirnoff has amassed this net worth over the course of his career. He has appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career. The majority of his fortune stems from his work as a comedian. He owns a 2000-seat theater where he has been performing for nearly three decades.

Yakov Smirnoff’s brilliant comedy style has never failed to impress us. He is still active in his profession and has been a part of many significant events. We can expect him to do a lot more in the coming days. Smirnoff is extremely talented and has fans all over the world.

Yakov Smirnoff Wife, Marriage

Yakov Smirnoff married Limnda Dreeszen in 1989. Natasha and Alexander are his two children. In 2001, the couple divorced. He married Olivia Kosarieva for the second time in 2009.