Nance O'Neil was born on October, 8, 1874. She was an American actress of stage and silent cinema of the early 20th century. O'Neil was married to actor Alfred Hickman, but was perhaps best known for her association and purported romantic affair with the notorious Lizzie Borden.

Nance was born in Oakland, California as Gertrude Lamson to George Lamson and Arre Findley.[1] When she decided to become an actress, her religious father, an auctioneer, denounced his daughter in church for going on the stage and asked the congregation to pray for her.

Early in her acting career, O'Neil drifted away from the United States under the management of McKee Rankin, who made her a star in Australia. O'Neil also received acclaim in London before returning to the United States and beginning her acting career anew.

Nance O'Neil died on February 7 in 1965.