After losing his father in war, he attended a trade school, despite his visible talent for drawing. He worked as a draughtsman and colorist at „Animafilm” (1953-1954), where he was noticed by Popescu Gopo Senior. In 1955 he began his initiation in the craft of makeup and the first film he worked on was
The Mill of Good Luck. He went on to learn makeup and wig making and to study in Paris. He worked on a couple of films as assistant to Rozalia Neculce –
Two Lottery Tickets,
Thirst,
Michael the Brave, after which he became the main makeup artist and permanent crew member for
Sergiu Nicolaescu’s films.
