Rasim Balayev

Rasim Balayev — Biography

Rasim Balayev was one of the best-loved faces of Azerbaijani cinema. He took the lead in more than sixty Azerbaijani films, and his best-remembered parts include the poet in Nesimi and the historical hero in Babek. He also worked on the theatre stage and in voice acting. On 29 March 2026 he died aged 77 at a hospital in Istanbul where he was receiving treatment, and his body was brought to Baku for burial.

Born in Ağsu, he finished secondary school in 1965 and, although his rural family tried to steer him toward another career, turned to the arts instead. He graduated from the Azerbaijan State Institute of Fine Arts in 1969. He first appeared on screen in a small part in Stars Don't Die Away at the Baku film studio, and he won the Best Actor prize at an international festival in Tashkent, which brought offers of leading roles. He went on to star in Nesimi, Babek, Dede Korkut, Anecdote and Sorgu, and also worked at Uzbekfilm and Mosfilm.

He was named Honored Artist in 1976 and People's Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1982, and in 1986 won the republic's State Prize for playing Selim Bey in Kanlı ekin. He received the Shohrat Order in 1998, the Sharaf Order in 2018 and the Istiglal Order in 2023. At the Azerbaijan Filmmakers' Union he served as secretary from 1990 to 2013 and as chairman from 2022 until his death.