Rafis Ismayilov (Rafiz Rza / Rafiz Ismayilov) was born in Baku.

He studied at the Azerbaijan State Art School named after Azim Azimzade (1962), the Art Faculty of the Moscow All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (1966-1972, workshop of Mikhail Bogdanov and Gennady Myaskinov).

Since 1972, he has worked at the "Azerbaijanfilm" film studio.

He was an artist for some performances at the Azerbaijan National Drama Theater, the Opera and Ballet Theater, and illustrated books.

He was awarded the State Prize for the film "The Bay of Joy" (1978), and the "Golden Fairy" award in the nomination "Best Artist's Work" for the film "The Ambassador of Dawn" (2015).

Honored Artist (1982), People's Artist (2000) Rafis Ismayilov died in 2025.

Artist Rafis Ismayilov is the brother of director Rasim Ismayilov.