orig. Eleanor Gwyn
born Feb. 2, 1650, London, Eng.
died Nov. 14, 1687, London
British actress.
She was selling oranges at the Drury Lane Theatre when she became the mistress of its leading actor, Charles Hart, who trained her for the stage. She became the leading comedienne of the King's Company (1666–69) and as "pretty, witty Nell" was in demand as a speaker of impudent prologues and epilogues. She became the mistress of Charles II (1669–85) and was popular with the public, who found her high spirits and frank recklessness welcome antidotes to Puritanism.