In cinema, she debuted in 1975 with O Rei da Noite, by Hector Babenco, and made other important films such as A Dama do Lotação, Mulher Objeto, and "Leila Diniz".

On television she debuted in the soap opera O Décimo Mandamento, on TV Tupi, in 1968, written by Benedito Ruy Barbosa.

She started for TV Globo in the 1970s, and found fame as she starred in works such as Dancin' Days, O Amor É Nosso, Sol de Verão, Guerra dos Sexos, Um Sonho a Mais, Cambalacho, Anos Dourados, and Fera Radical.

At 11:50 pm on December 31, 1988, a Saturday, the boat Bateau Mouche IV ended up sinking, resulting in Yara's death along with her mother and 54 other people on board.

[8] The artist's remains lie in the São Joāo Batista Cemetery, in the neighborhood of Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro.