Originally from Boston, Tom moved to New York to train at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts where he received his BFA at Stella Adler Studio, the Experimental Theatre Wing, and the International Theatre Workshop: Amsterdam, Holland. He also studied in London, at the British American Drama Academy. O'Neill went on to apprentice at Stella Adler Studios under Master Teacher Alice Saltzman for studio's scene study department. And for two years, Tom worked on Riker's Island through Stella Adler Studio's Outreach Program.