Legendary Comedian Yakov Smirnoff to Graduate with a Doctorate Degree from Pepperdine University this Saturday, May 18, 2019
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Yakov Smirnoff, the legendary comedian known for emigrating from the
Soviet Union and skyrocketing to the top of the comedy world in America
in the 1980s, has earned his doctorate degree from Pepperdine’s Graduate
School of Education and Psychology on May 18th. His dissertation – and
stand up – on how laughter sustains human relationships and
international diplomacy is both informative and hysterical. Dr. Yakov is
available for interview and speaking opportunities. The graduation
ceremony takes place this Saturday, May 18 at 2:30 PM at Pepperdine’s
campus in Malibu. Media is invited to attend.
“He’s a [expletive] good joke writer! Yakov Smirnoff is still slingin’
it! He comes to the comedy store. He writes new material and it’s good!”
– Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience
After having reached every career milestone as a stand-up, Yakov refuses
to slow down. With a full schedule of stand-up comedy dates, he has
managed to find time to go back to school, earning his master’s degree
in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and now his doctorate
at Pepperdine not far from his home in Malibu, California. Yakov also
has a home and theater in Branson, Missouri.
Dr. Yakov is an expert on laughter and laughter’s relationship to love.
“Laughter is your GPS to happiness. The more love, the more laughter,”
he says. Dr. Yakov’s research for his dissertation on the “Law of
Laughter (LOL)” proves that laughter is like a gas gauge in a car which
tells you how much fuel you have – laughter lets you know how much
happiness you have in your relationship. “I’ve devoted my life to
teaching others how to share love and laughter, and I look forward to
sharing my doctoral research on this subject in the coming weeks,” says
Dr. Yakov.
See his stand-up here:
https://youtu.be/fK6xrBz9NfM
Jay Leno congratulates Yakov:
https://youtu.be/oA6qgsSiC0o
About Yakov Smirnoff:
In the 1980s, Yakov Smirnoff’s life through the eyes of a poor immigrant
captured the hearts of America. He soared to the top of the comedy world
performing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and countless other
television programs, including as a regular character on Night Court
and the star of his very own show, named after his famous catch-phrase, “What
a Country!” He branched out to the big screen where he starred in
movies with Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, and Jack Nicholson to name a few.
Still, one of his favorite achievements is obtaining his American
citizenship in front of the Statue of Liberty in 1986. From his humble
beginnings as a poor immigrant to living the American dream, Yakov has
even performed for four U.S. Presidents and has been the main event for
the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Contacts
John Lockhart
john@peoplemedia.la
Website: www.yakov.com
Twitter:
@Yakov_Smirnoff
Instagram: @yakov_smirnoff