A first projection display apparatus includes a color separator (41A) that has first and second incident surfaces (S1a and S1b), and allows light in first to third wavelength bands to pass therethrough or reflects the light in the first to third wavelength bands; first to third reflective light modulators (15); a first polarization splitter (12G); a second polarization splitter (12RB); and a projection optical system (19). Light in at least one of the first to third wavelength bands enters the first incident surface of the color separator as first polarized light, and light in the other wavelength bands enters the second incident surface of the color separator as second polarized light orthogonal to the first polarized light.