I was not only typecast as a Russian, but I was typecast as Yakov Smirnoff. This is understandable, and I was very happy to get the roles, but it would be nice to be in a movie where I could be someone else.

The reason gas prices are so high is because the oil is in Texas and Oklahoma and all the dipsticks are in Washington.

Americans think Soviets are so grim. I want them to see that they can smile.

After the Soviet Union collapsed, people thought I wasn't funny anymore.

Everybody laughs the same in every language because laughter is a universal connection.

In America, you assassinate president. In Soviet Russia, president assassinate you!

In every country, they make fun of city. In U.S. you make fun of Cleveland. In Russia, we make fun of Cleveland.