What happened to Mischa Barton, star of 'The O.C.?'

Appeared in Italian Vogue at eleven years old

None of her post-'The O.C.' roles achieved the same success

Remembering Mischa Barton

Talking about Mischa Barton (Hammersmith, London, 1986) brings us back to the early 2000s. Who could forget THE teen series of the day: 'The O.C.' (2003)?

A series that defined an era

There’s no doubt that 'The O.C.' defined an era and is still remembered by an entire generation. The stories of wealthy teenagers from Orange County, California, included the unforgettable Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton).

A mass phenomenon

Thanks to this character, she became a mass phenomenon, although her career had actually started much earlier with various projects in both film and television.

Early work

Her first job was at eight years old (a grape jelly commercial). She also began working with various fashion brands after signing with the Ford Modeling Agency.

Appeared in Italian Vogue at eleven years old

She even posed for renowned photographer Steven Meisel for the Italian edition of Vogue at just eleven years old.

A long list of roles

As an actress, she made her stage debut in 1995 in the play 'Slavs!'. This was followed by numerous roles in theater, television series, and films (including a role in the 1999 film 'Notting Hill').

Then came fame

Then, in 2003, with the role of Marissa Cooper came magazine covers, interviews, red carpets, and global fame...

Awards and recognition

She also received awards and recognitions, including two Teen Choice Awards for her work on 'The O.C.' and Entertainment Weekly named her the "It Girl" of 2003 on their annual "It List."

None of her post-'The O.C.' roles achieved the same success

But after 'The O.C.' ended, although she continued working, none of her roles as an actress achieved the same level of success.

Her modeling career

She did continue to lend her image to numerous brands, including the Spanish bridal gown company Rosa Clara (shown).

Mental health and addiction issues

Personally, she faced mental health and addiction issues, which often filled the tabloids. She also had conflicts with her mother (who was also her manager), accusing her of taking part of her money.

Withdrawing from the public eye

After spending a long time in the public eye, she decided to step back to lead a life with much less media exposure. She rarely appears at public events, with exceptions such as a charity event in Munich, Germany, in December 2023 or an art exhibition in London in October of the same year.

The lights and shadows of Hollywood...

Hollywood has its ups and downs and Mischa Barton has experienced them firsthand.