Gurban Ismayilov was born in 1960 in the Aghjabadi district. In 1985 he graduated from the drama and film acting faculty of the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts. For a time he worked at the "Nasimi" folklore theatre and at the Training Theatre of ASUCA. Since 1989 he has been an actor of the Azerbaijan State Youth Theatre, and since 1 May 2009 an actor of the Azerbaijan State Theatre for Young Spectators. In 1995, at the "First Experimental Performances Festival" held by the Union of Theatre Workers, he received an award in the "Best Male Role" nomination for his performance as the second emigrant in S. Mrozek's play "The Emigrants". Since 1993 he has been a member of the Azerbaijan Union of Theatre Workers, and since 2006 a member of the Azerbaijan Union of Cinematographers. On 13 April 2014 he was awarded a Certificate of Honour by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kalmykia for his achievements in strengthening international cultural relations. He was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Artist on 9 May 2012 and the title of People's Artist on 1 August 2018. He received the Presidential Award in 2013, on 30 April 2014, 6 May 2015, 6 May 2016, 1 May 2017, 9 May 2018, 10 May 2019, 7 May 2020, 7 May 2021 and 10 May 2022. In 2014 he received the "Humay" award for his portrayal of the blind father in "I've Come, Girls" ("War"). In 2017 he received the "Best Male Role" award at the 13th Eurasian International Film Festival for his role in the film "Pomegranate Orchard". On 10 March 2021 he was awarded the "Artist" medal established by the Azerbaijan Union of Theatre Workers. On 6 May 2023 he was awarded a personal scholarship of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for his services to the development of Azerbaijani culture.
