Yakov Smirnoff

Since 1992, Smirnoff has performed at his own theater in Branson, Missouri, where he has entertained over four million visitors and produced several outstanding award-winning shows. His new national tour is called "The Happily Ever Laughter Tour."

His funny philosophies can also be heard at Missouri State University and Drury University where Smirnoff is a professor who teaches about the relationship of love and laughter. He received his master's degree in psychology from the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania and is a bestselling author.

A mainstay in the entertainment scene since the late 1970's, Smirnoff was a regular guest star on the awar- winning NBC sitcom, "Night Court." He has been a popular guest of numerous national TV shows including "The Tonight Show." You've seen him on HBO and enjoyed his humor on his critically acclaimed Showtime special. Yakov also co-starred with Robin Williams in "Moscow on the Hudson," Tom Hanks in "The Money Pit," Meryl Steep and Jack Nicholson in "Heartburn" and Richard Pryor in "Brewster's Millions."