Aliabbas Gulabbas oghlu Gadirov was born on 13 February 1946 in Baku. He was educated at secondary schools No. 31, 176, 43, 36 and 105 in Baku, finishing the eleventh grade at school No. 105. He became interested in the stage arts from the eighth grade, joining the drama collective led by People's Artist Aghadadash Gurbanov at the "Railwaymen's" club. He learned the basic skills of performing in romantic, monumental productions in this drama club. In 1965 he entered the drama and film acting faculty of the Mirzagha Aliyev Azerbaijan State Theatre Institute. His acting teacher and specialised course leader was People's Artist and professor Mehdi Mammadov, and his teacher of stage speech was Honoured Artist and elocution master Mukhlis Janizade. During his student years he played interesting roles as a staff actor of the institute's teaching theatre, in productions of Jafar Jabbarli's Aydin (as Surkhay), Huseyn Javid's Azar, and Afanasy Salynsky's The Drummer Girl (as Fyodor). It was for this reason that, while Aliabbas Gadirov was in his final year, Mehdi Mammadov invited him to play the role of Yusif in Huseyn Javid's tragedy Khayyam, which he staged at the Academic Theatre. However, the premiere was delayed and was eventually held on 12 March 1970. From his very first steps on this stage he attracted the attention of theatre circles. From 6 April 1970 he was an actor of the National Drama Theatre. The renowned actor was appointed artistic director and director of the theatre on 26 December 2001.
