He starred in over 25 feature films and directed 11, and is most known for his role as Deda in Rrugë të bardha [sq] ("White Roads") (1974).
In 1960, he completed secondary education in Jordan Misja High School in his hometown.
After completing his tertiary education at the "Aleksandër Moisiu" High School for Actors (now part of University of Arts, Tirana) in 1965, he became part of the "Migjeni" Theatre in Shkodër for the following 8 years.
[2] He also wrote books, publishing works such as A Godforsaken Place Around Here (2014), Josifopedia (2018), 9 të shkurtra (2019) (English: 9 Short Ones), Prill (2020) (English: April).
[5][6][7][8] Ljarja died on 20 April 2020 after a long battle with cancer.