Thomas William Mariano was born on February 24, 1969 and was adopted into an Italian-Catholic family when he was 2 days old. He grew up with his sister Susan and parents Lino & Lois Mariano in Canton, Massachusetts.

Tom first started acting at the young age of 8. His first role was in 3rd grade when he was cast as the lead guard in the Wizard of Oz at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School.