Haji Ismayilov

Ismayilov Haji Majid oglu was born on January 22, 1944 in Baku. He studied at secondary school No. 190.

In 1963, he entered the Drama and Film Acting Department of the Azerbaijan State Theater Institute named after Mirzaga Aliyev, and graduated from the institute in 1968.

He began working at the Sumgayit State Drama Theater on September 2, 1968. In this theater, he played the roles of Dervish Mastelishah in M.F. Akhundov's comedy "Monsieur Jordan and Dervish Mastelishah", Jeffy in J. Patrick's drama "Strange Mrs. Savage", Samandar in A. Papayan's comedy "Yes, the World Has Changed", and Mammadali Bey in J. Jabbarly's play "Sevil".

Since February 16, 1970, he has been working at the Academic National Drama Theater. Haji Ismayilov's work, due to its characteristic artistic features, is more in line with the poetics of the realistic acting school. Most of the more than fifty roles he played in the academic theater are in that style.

The actor first starred in the film "Birthday" at the "Azerbaijanfilm" film studio, where he played the role of Mustafa, achieving great success with this role and being awarded the "State Prize" in 1980.

The prominent theater and film actor Haji Ismayilov was awarded the honorary titles of "Honored Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan" on May 17, 1989 and "People's Artist" on December 18, 2000 for his achievements in art. He is a presidential pensioner. He was awarded the "Artist" medal established by the Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan.

He was awarded the "Shohrat" Order in 2019 for his services to the development of Azerbaijani culture.

From 2014 to 2024, he served as the Deputy Chairman of the Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan for Creative Affairs.

Since 2024, he has been the Chairman of the Union.