Thomas Jane was born Thomas Elliott III on February 22, 1969 in Baltimore, Maryland. He moved to Hollywood at age 18 to pursue an acting career, but was initially homeless and living out of his car. He eventually landed roles in an Indian Telugu language film in 1987 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1992. He then moved into higher profile roles such as The Crow: City of Angels, Boogie Nights, The Thin Red Line, Thursday, and Magnolia. 

He was offered the title role in The Punisher (2004) twice before he finally accepted. He read several Punisher comics to prepare for the role and also trained with the Navy SEALs. He gained 20 pounds of muscle for the role. He also later provided his voice to the video games.

Jane married Aysha Hauer in 1989 and they were later divorced in 1995. He was engaged to Olivia d'Abo from 1998 to 2001 but they never married. In 2001 he was introduced to Patricia Arquette, and they became engaged the following year. On February 20, 2003 they had a daugher, Harlow Olivia Calliope, and they were married on June 25, 2006 in Italy. In 2009 Arquette filed for divorce, and although it was temporarily halted, it was finalized on July 1, 2011. Custody of their daughter is shared.