Haji Ismayilov was born on January 22, 1944, in Baku. He studied at secondary school No. 190. In 1963 he enrolled in the Drama and Film Acting Faculty of the Mirzagha Aliyev Azerbaijan State Theatre Institute. He was invited to work as an actor at the Sumgait State Drama Theatre and began working with its young company on September 2, 1968. At this theatre he played the role of the dervish Mastali Shah in M. F. Akhundov's comedy "Monsieur Jordan and the Dervish Mastali Shah". He went on to play Jeffie in J. Patrick's drama "The Curious Savage", Samandar in A. Papayan's comedy "Yes, the World Has Changed", and Mammadali bey in the stage production of J. Jabbarli's "Sevil". From February 16, 1970, he has worked at the Academic National Drama Theatre. From his very first day there he was given the role of the Second Slave in H. Javid's tragedy "Khayyam". His first film role was at the "Azerbaijanfilm" studio, as Mustafa in "Birthday", a role that brought him great success; on April 22, 1980, he was awarded the title of laureate of the Republic's State Prize for it. On May 17, 1989, he was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR, and on December 18, 2000, that of People's Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He receives a presidential pension. He has been awarded the "Sanatkar" (Master Artist) medal established by the Azerbaijan Union of Theatre Workers. On January 21, 2019, he was awarded the Order of "Shohrat" (Glory). In the characteristic features of his artistry he is most closely aligned with the poetics of the realist school of acting. A large portion of the more than fifty roles he has played at the Academic Theatre correspond precisely to the aesthetic hallmarks of that style.
