Born in Prăjești, Bacău County, he attended high school in Bacău, and, at age 17, he joined the youth branch of the Iron Guard.

For his militant activities, he was detained in 1938 for 5 months at a correctional facility in Vaslui, and later at prisons in Galați, Jilava, and Văcărești.

In 1944 he graduated the Academy of Music and Dramatic Art of Iași.

During the early Communist regime he was arrested and spent more time in prison before being released after the intervention of some Jews he helped.

[1] In December 1989 Maftei took an active role in the Romanian Revolution, while in June 1990 he was severely beaten during a Mineriad in Bucharest.