Tondo discovered acting while attending high school in San Francisco, California. He was offered scholarships to play football, but decided to study sociology. He then enrolled in a theater course. He served on the board of directors while participating as a company member of the Asian American Theater Co. He moved to Los Angeles, California and started working with the East-West Players. Five years later he joined the Mark Taper Forum/Improvisation Theater Project. For six years he toured with the project. He currently resides with his wife and two children in Manhattan Beach, California.
