Smilar's heritage is from the Kaurerag Aboriginal tribe, the Komet, Dauwareb and Meriam Samsep tribes from Murray Island in the Torres Strait, together with Ulingun people from Madang, Papua New Guinea.

Smilar was born in Townsville in 1975. His heritage is from the Kaurerag Aboriginal tribe, the Komet, Dauwareb and Meriam Samsep tribes from Murray Island in the Torres Strait, together with Ulingun people from Madang, Papua New Guinea.

Smilar attended NAISDA Dance College in Sydney in 1994 and since then he has been freelance dancing and teaching. During this time he was worked alongside Artistic Directors such as Raymond Blanco, Albert David and Stephen Page.

In Sydney, Smilar has worked in many productions such as the Warup Era Kodomer with Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre, Bipotim with Bangarra Dance Theatre, Zura at Darling Harbour, Gammon Ol Yarns at Bondi Pavilion, To India with Love at Sydney Town Hall and Flamenco Dreaming at Riverside Theatre. His music career includes a credit in Bangarra's Fish soundtrack.

Smilar's work in festivals has included the Melany Festival, Waitangi Fesitval and the Festival of Dreaming. He has also worked as an Indigenous Consultant for organisations in New South Wales and Queensland, including Taronga Park Zoo, P&O Cruises, and various schools and community centres. He has also worked alongside some of Australia’s most well-known Indigenous artists, including Leah Purcell, Jeanette Fabila, Seaman Dan, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter.

Smilar was Guest Performer in Bangarra’s 2007 season of True Stories, performing a solo in Elma Kris’ Torres Strait Island-inspired work, Emeret Lu.

Smilar is proud of his Indigenous heritage and grateful to the cultural Dance Leaders of his community, and of the communities into which he has been adopted. He is committed to upholding the traditional art forms of language, song, music and dance from Murray Island.