[1] Isayev was born in Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, into a family with strong connections to the performing arts through his parents' involvement with the Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theater[1] (the son of a famous Soviet actor Vladislav Strzhelchik).

Isayev held various jobs prior to entering the Saint Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy[2] from which he subsequently graduated in 1996.

[1] He served in the theater "Russian Enterprise" named after Andrei Mironov, "Comedian's Shelter" in the Komissarjevsky Theatre.

In parallel, he worked fitness trainer, a masseur a store manager and was involved in dance, writing and song arranging.

Isayev's first wife was Asya Shibarova, a classmate at the institute, and now an actress.