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Mischa Anne Marsden Barton (born 24 January 1986) is a British and American film, television, and stage actress. She began her career on the stage, appearing in Tony Kushner's Slavs! and took the lead in James Lapine's Twelve Dreams at New York City's Lincoln Center. She made her screen debut with a guest appearance on the American soap opera All My Children (1995), and voicing Betty Ann Bongo on the Nickelodeon cartoon series KaBlam! (1996–97). Her first major film role was as the protagonist of Lawn Dogs (1997), a drama co-starring Sam Rockwell. She appeared in major pictures such as the romantic comedy Notting Hill (1999) and M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller The Sixth Sense (1999). She also starred in the indie crime drama Pups (1999).
Barton later appeared in the independent drama Lost and Delirious (2001) and guest-starred as Evan Rachel Wood's girlfriend on ABC's Once and Again (2001–02). She played Marissa Cooper in the Fox Network television series The O.C. (2003–2006), for which she received two Teen Choice Awards. The role brought Barton into mainstream fame, and Entertainment Weekly named her the "it-girl" of 2003.
Barton has since appeared in the comedy remake St Trinian's (2007), the Richard Attenborough–directed drama Closing the Ring (2007) and Assassination of a High School President (2008). She returned to television, starring in the short-lived Ashton Kutcher-produced The CW series The Beautiful Life (2009).
In 2012, she returned to the stage, performing in the Irish production of Steel Magnolias. She also appeared alongside Martin Sheen in (2014). She has garnered critical praise for her roles in independent films, with the Los Angeles Times praising her "standout" performance in Starcrossed (2014). Barton was cast in the first season of the MTV series (2019–2021), a reboot of The Hills. In 2023, she was cast in an extended guest role for the rebooted Australian soap opera, Neighbours on Amazon Freevee and Network 10.
Her maternal grandfather was an Irish language professor at Queen's University Belfast. She has two sisters, Hania (younger) and Zoë (older), the latter a barrister (KC) in London. Barton has stated that she briefly attended St. Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith, Mischa Barton – Fearne and Mischa Barton. ITV2, 8 September 2010. [1] but her father's work took the family to New York City when Barton was five years old. In 2006, she became a Naturalization citizen of the United States, but retained her British citizenship. She is also eligible for Irish citizenship through her mother.
Barton graduated from the Professional Children's School in Manhattan in 2004, and took a summer short course called Acting Shakespeare at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, in June and July 2006, at Sir Richard Attenborough's urging, after he directed her in Closing the Ring.
Barton first appeared on television in 1994, playing a young Corvina Lang in flashbacks in the soap opera All My Children. In 1996, she returned to the show, replacing Michelle Trachtenberg in the role of Lily Benton Montgomery. She guest-starred in eight episodes of the television series Once and Again as Jessie Sammler's (Evan Rachel Wood) girlfriend, Katie Singer. In 2001, she returned to film and starred in the independent Canadian drama, Lost and Delirious, based on the novel The Wives of Bath by Susan Swan. The film was met with mixed reviews, but the performances of Barton and her co-stars Piper Perabo and Jessica Paré were widely praised. She also starred in Julie Johnson (2001) alongside Lili Taylor and Courtney Love, playing the daughter of a woman in a lesbian relationship. Barton also had a supporting role in the independent teen drama Tart (2001) with Brad Renfro and Dominique Swain.
Other television appearances include an episode of the Fox series Fastlane (2003). She also appears as the love interest in James Blunt's music video "Goodbye My Lover" (2005) and in Enrique Iglesias' music video "Addicted" (2003).
In July 2006, Barton appeared on the British comedy variety show The Friday Night Project as a guest host. In 2007, Barton appeared in the films The Oh in Ohio and the comedy film Virgin Territory with Hayden Christensen. She also joined Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer in Richard Attenborough's war drama Closing the Ring. Attenborough praised her, saying "her ability to convey pain and sadness, hopefulness and fear, is riveting". The Independent also noted that "she lends her character a beguiling vulnerability." She also appeared in the British comedy St Trinians (2007), appearing as a former head girl of that school advising current senior pupils on fashion and style. Later in 2007, Barton was cast in the international film produced by the Russian band t.A.T.u., called You and I. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2008 and was released theatrically in Russia in 2011.
In a December 2007 interview, she indicated she would return to television for the right project; "It's not that I dislike doing television at all. It would be interesting having more creative control over where the storylines go or the characters. But for the right thing, of course." In 2009 she starred as one of the main characters on The Beautiful Life a new series on The CW. "Mischa Barton opts for 'A Beautiful Life Reuters. 13 March 2009 "Pilot News: Mischa Barton Lands 'Bitchy' Beautiful Role" TV Guide. 13 March 2009 The series was subsequently cancelled on 25 September 2009 after broadcasting two episodes. "First fall TV casualty: 'The Beautiful Life MSNBC. 25 September 2009 In December 2009, the technology company Hewlett-Packard became the show's sponsor, airing the show's five episodes on YouTube. "HP To Sponsor 'Beautiful Life' On YouTube" Media Post. 19 December 2009 "Ashton Kutcher Brings 'Beautiful Life' Back to Life" Parade. 18 December 2009 She guest starred on , played an endangered prostitute in an episode that aired on 3 March 2010. "Mischa Barton To Hook It Up on SVU" TV Guide. 4 January 2010 She has since mainly filmed horror and thriller projects, taking roles in The Sibling, "Mischa Barton filming 'Sibling' in Pittsburgh" On Location Vacation. 9 December 2010. Cyberstalker, a Lifetime television film "Mischa Barton in town to film made-for-TV thriller" Ottawa Citizen. 14 June 2011 and Apartment 1303 3D, the English-language remake of the Japanese horror film, Apartment 1303. "Mischa Barton and Rebecca De Mornay Check into 'Apartment 1303 FearNet. 5 November 2011 Barton also appeared alongside Ryan Eggold in Mark Edwin Robinson's supernatural romance thriller, Into the Dark. Castings RPT Entertainment. 30 November 2011
In May 2012, Barton discussed her recent preference for the horror genre, following roles in Homecoming, Apartment 1303 and Sibling "I literally became obsessed with that genre. I can't tell you. Because I never watched it when I was younger; it used to be way too terrifying for me." However Barton added that, "I think I've gone through my little phase, for the moment." Mischa Barton – The Full Interview TWELV. 1 May 2012 In June, Barton appeared in Noel Gallagher's music video for Everybody's on the Run. Mischa Barton Stars in the Music Video For Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' "Everybody's on the Run" Wetpaint. 20 June 2012 In July 2012, Barton made her stage return in an Irish production of Steel Magnolias, playing Shelby. It premiered at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin on 12 September, and a nationwide tour followed thereafter. OC's Mischa 'Steels' the show Irish Herald. 11 July 2012 Mischa Barton live on Moncrieff tomorrow Newstalk. 11 July 2012 After the premiere, Barton received praise for her performance. The Evening Herald wrote "Barton sparkles from the moment she steps on stage...Barton's Shelby is instantly magnetic". Sparkling Mischa steals the show Evening Herald. 13 September 2012
On 8 March 2016, Barton competed on the 22nd season of Dancing with the Stars. She paired with professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev. On 4 April 2016, Barton and Chigvintsev were eliminated from the competition and finished in eleventh place. Later in 2016 Barton received praise for her role in the independent drama Starcrossed. Writing in the Los Angeles Times, Katie Walsh described how "Barton is a standout as the alluring, broken young woman who hides as much as she reveals." 'Starcrossed' lovers untangle fate and deceit Los Angeles Times. 12 May 2016 Barton was later critically recognized for her performance in Deserted, a psychological survival story written and directed by Ashley Avis. Barton plays Jae, a young woman recently released from prison who goes on a soul-searching journey into the desert with her brother Robin, played by Jackson Davis. "Barton is well-cast, grounded and burdened," and "...delivers one of her best performances in years." In 2018, Barton was cast in The Cat and the Moon, the directorial debut of Alex Wolff. Wolff Sets Cast for Directorial Debut 'The Cat and the Moon' (Exclusive) The Hollywood Reporter. 12 March 2018
In April 2023 it was announced that Barton would be a guest star in the rebooted Australian soap opera, Neighbours on Amazon Freevee and Australia's Network 10. Barton plays Reece Sinclair, who is the daughter of an American billionaire investing in Lassiters. Mischa Barton joins the cast of Neighbours The Guardian. 17 April 2023 ‘Neighbours’ at Amazon Freevee Casts Mischa Barton Variety. 17 April 2023
In 2025, Barton will star in Sleepwalker, a psychological thriller alongside Hayden Panettiere and Justin Chatwin.Ntim, Zac (10 February 2025). ‘Shameless’ Actor Justin Chatwin Among Names Added To Psychological Thriller ‘Sleepwalker’ Deadline. Retrieved on 12 February 2025 In the same year she was cast in Bad News on the Doorstep, a 1950s mafia crime thriller.Grobar, Matt (30 May 2025). Rob Gronkowski, Sistine Stallone, Mischa Barton & More Join Crime Thriller ‘Bad News On The Doorstep’ Deadline. Retrieved on 4 June 2025
Barton is a self-admitted fan of magic. In addition to being a guest member of the Magic Castle, she is also friends with a number of magicians and has often acted as a guest assistant to some of them, participating in illusions including being guillotined and sawed in half."The First Time I: Mischa Barton", Woman's Day, August 2014.Farmer, R., "David Copperfield Performs New Sawing In Half On Mischa Barton For TV Drama", Magic magazine, Vol.18 No.12 (August 2009).
In 2008, she won the InStyle "icon of the year" award from Karl Lagerfeld at the Viper awards in Berlin. Mischa Barton Gets a Style Award — From Karl Lagerfeld! People magazine. 16 February 2008
Barton also became a spokesperson for the SAFE (Skin Awareness for Everyone) campaign in 2007. In addition, she lent her name to the TRAID campaign (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) in association with Visa Swap. Barton was photographed in April 2007 for the Fall 2007/2008 advertising campaign for Italian clothing brand Iceberg, modelling with Nicolas Bemberg.
In July 2008, she created a 14-piece handbag collection for online retailer ASOS.com. Barton was reportedly very involved in the line which retails from £20 to £145. She told ASOS magazine that she first discovered the website through her sister.
In December 2008, Barton premiered her line of headbands released on the Stacy Lapidus line. The headbands cost from $90 to $200. She also has a handbag line for London-based Ri2k, which is sold in the United Kingdom and Australia only. Mischa Barton Launches Headband Line 22 December 2008 In early 2009, she became the "new face" of Herbal Essences. Mischa Barton Confirms She Is The New Face Of Herbal Essences January 2009
In June 2010, she was announced as the face of Philipp Plein couture. Plein said, "Being in the limelight for a young and beautiful girl, the looks of course always get a lot of attention, Mischa Barton got a lot and learned to live with her fame. For me it was the big challenge to again show her as a Diva, a Rock 'n' Roll Goddess". The campaign will be circulated in international editions of leading fashion magazines. Mischa Barton is the new face of PHILIPP PLEIN Couture A/W 2010 Philipp Plein. Retrieved 27 June 2010
In May 2011, Barton became the "exceptional godmother" of the Catalan designer Rosa Clará for her 2011 collection at Barcelona Bridal Week. Along with the Mexican singer Paulina Rubio, they became the stars of the show to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the signature of wedding dresses from Barcelona.
In October 2011, Barton appeared in a meat-themed photoshoot for Tyler Shields that was showcased at the Imitate Modern Gallery in London.
In 2012, Barton opened a short-lived clothes boutique in Spitalfields, London, later revealing “Retail is not exactly a cakewalk, so just taking care of the store and dealing with production, quality and employees. Just the whole thing became overwhelming and beyond expensive.” Mischa Barton Is Back Where She Started. Sort Of. The New York Times. 23 May 2019 Barton's Boutique 9 August 2012
In 2007, Barton was arrested in Los Angeles for drunk driving, marijuana possession, and driving without a license. She pled no contest and was sentenced to three years of unsupervised probation.
The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz later said that "Mischa was one of the young women stalked by photographers and treated unkindly by online bloggers. Fame hit in a certain way that would have been very hard for anyone to predict". Barton wrote in Harper's Bazaar in 2021 that she felt that she had been "sexualised" in her earlier film roles, even becoming a "strange sex symbol" at 13 in Asia where her movie Pups garnered significant attention. She also revealed that she felt pressure to lose her virginity at age 18 when she joined the cast of The OC as her character was sexually active. Barton also revealed that persistent press attention and paparazzi intrusion led to her having PTSD. Mischa Barton: The grim truth about growing up in the public eye Harper's Bazaar. 11 June 2021 In 2023, an article from 2005 circulated in which Barton stated a Hollywood publicist told her to sleep with Leonardo DiCaprio when she was just 18 years old in order to benefit her career.
In 2006, Barton served as a spokesperson for the SAFE (Skin Awareness for Everyone) campaign and also lent her name to the TRAID campaign (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) in 2007, in association with Visa Swap. In 2007, Barton also served as an ambassador for Save the Children and the "One Water" campaign which brings water to remote locations in Africa, and was on the board of the Lupus Research Committee in Los Angeles.
2008–2018: Independent films
She appeared in Assassination of a High School President (2008), co-starring Bruce Willis, which premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The Hollywood Reporter praised Barton's "captivating" performance. She also starred in the horror film Walled In, which was released straight-to-DVD in March 2009. It received mixed reviews, but her performance was praised, with IGN calling her performance "terrific". "Walled In DVD Review" IGN. 16 March 2009 Her next horror project, Homecoming, received a limited release in July 2009. Barton did not attend the premiere of the psychological thriller due to a medical issue. She also starred in the 2009 film Don't Fade Away. In early 2009 she began filming alongside Martin Sheen in a biopic of the Bhopal gas tragedy.
2019–present: The Hills reboot, Neighbours and film roles
At the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards, MTV announced a reboot of The Hills titled , slated to premiere in 2019. Barton was announced as part of the cast of the new series. She did not return for the second season. Barton had a cameo appearance in Spree, which starred Joe Keery of Stranger Things and premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. In October 2021, Barton was tapped to play an aspiring detective Miranda Green in the crime thriller film Invitation to a Murder, directed by Stephen Shimek.
Modelling, fashion design, and endorsements
Barton has been in many television commercials and print advertising campaigns. Barton has modeled for companies Calvin Klein, bebe stores, Aéropostale, Monsoon Accessorize, Dooney & Bourke, JC (Jeans and Clothes), European clothing line Morgan de Toi, Jaspal, and Neutrogena skincare products. She became the spokesperson for Keds Sneakers, substantially increasing their sales. In Australia, she appears in commercials for teen magazine Famous and was the guest of honour at retail giant David Jones Tahitian Summer Collection launch. She has also endorsed Chanel jewelry, appearing at events for the brand. In a 2005 interview, Showbiz Tonight transcript , 27 July 2005, CNN. she stated that she liked the Chanel brand because they produced a large number of clip-on earrings suitable for women who did not have pierced ears, as she did not at the time. In 2009, having had her ears pierced for her role in The Beautiful Life, she modeled jewelry for the company Inspired Creations, including pierced earrings and their Waxing Poetic range of charms.
Personal life
Barton purchased a home in Beverly Hills at age nineteen, and subsequently sold the home in 2016. Mischa Barton finally sells her Mediterranean compound in Beverly Hills Los Angeles Times. 13 July 2016 She was previously in long-term relationships with the oil heir Brandon Davis, musician Cisco Adler, and the Australian model James Abercrombie. Former The OC star Mischa Barton calls it quits with Australian millionaire beau James Abercrombie news.com.au. 6 August 2019 Mischa Barton, Cisco Adler Break Up People. 9 February 2007 Mischa Barton, Brandon Davis Split People. 12 July 2005 In 2017, Barton won a revenge porn lawsuit against her former boyfriend, Jon Zacharias, stopping him from selling a sex tape of her. Mischa Barton wins revenge porn case after ex-boyfriend tried to sell sex tape BBC. 6 June 2017
Charitable affiliations
In 2009, Barton served as the spokesperson for Climate Star, an organization that fights global warming through social and legislative activism. In 2007, she worked with the home shopping company QVC to raise funds for women's cancer research.
Filmography
Film
Denotes productions that have not yet been released 1995 Polio Water Diane Short film 1997 Lawn Dogs Devon Stockard 1999 Pups Rocky 1999 Notting Hill 12-Year-Old Actress 1999 Kyra Collins 2000 Paranoid Theresa 2000 Skipped Parts Maurey Pierce 2001 Lost and Delirious Mary 'Mouse' Bedford 2001 Julie Johnson Lisa Johnson 2001 Tart Grace Bailey 2003 Octane Natasha 'Nat' Wilson 2006 Kristen Taylor 2007 Closing the Ring Young Ethel Ann 2007 St Trinian's JJ French 2007 Virgin Territory Pampinea 2008 Assassination of a High School President Francesca Fachini 2008 You and I Lana 2009 Walled In Sam Walczak 2009 Homecoming Shelby Mercer 2010 Don't Fade Away Kat 2012 Into the Dark Sophia Monet 2012 Ben Banks Amy 2012 Apartment 1303 3D Lara Slate 2013 Eva Gascon 2013 Jessie Also producer Interview; Mischa Barton Talks a Resurrection Yahoo Voices. 28 March 2013 2014 Toni 2014 Mining for Ruby Jessica King 2014 Hope Lost Alina 2015 L.A. Slasher The Actress LA Slasher teaser Retrieved on 3 December 2012 2015 Checkmate Lauren Campbell 2015 The Hoarder Ella 2015 Swat Unit: 877 Agent Melanie Hamlin 2015 American Beach House Ms. Maureen 2015 Starcrossed Kat 2015 Operator Pamela Miller 2016 Deserted Jae 2017 Monsters at Large Katie Parker 2017 The Executor Tara 2018 The Malevolent Ms Lowell 2018 The Basement Kelly Owen 2018 The Toybox Samantha 2018 Ouija House Samantha 2018 Papa Jennifer 2018 Painkillers The Girl 2018 The Cat and the Moon Jessica Petersen Alex Wolff Sets Cast for Directorial Debut 'The Cat and the Moon' (Exclusive) The Hollywood Reporter. 12 March 2018 2020 Spree London 2023 Invitation to a Murder Miranda Green Joelle Post-production Silvia Post-production
Television
1995 All My Children Lily Montgomery 1 episode 1996 New York Crossing Drummond Movie 1996–97 KaBlam! Betty Ann Bongo (voice) Recurring role (15 episodes) 2000 Frankie & Hazel Francesca 'Frankie' Humphries Movie 2001–02 Once and Again Katie Singer Recurring role (8 episodes) 2002 Vicky Austin Movie 2003 Fastlane Simone Collins Episode: "Simone Says" 2003–06 Marissa Cooper Main role (76 episodes) 2009 Sonja Stone Main role (5 episodes) 2010 Gladys Dalton Episode: "Savior" 2012 Cyberstalker Aiden Ashley Movie 2016 Recovery Road Olivia Episode: "Parties Without Borders" 2016 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant on season 22 2017 The Joneses Unplugged Rebecca Jones Movie 2019 Herself Reality TV, main cast (season 1) 2021 Holiday Twist Connie Christmas movie 2023 Neighbours Reece Sinclair Extended guest role (32 episodes)
Music videos
2003 "Addicted" Love Interest Enrique Iglesias 2005 "Goodbye My Lover" Girlfriend James Blunt 2012 "Everybody's on the Run" Girl Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds 2014 "Coming Through" Herself Willis Earl Beal 2017 "Turn It Off" Girl Deap Vally
Theatre
1995 Slavs! Vodya Twelve Dreams Emma 1996 Where the Truth Lies Cinda 1997 One Flea Spare Morse 2012 Steel Magnolias Shelby Gaeity Theatre
Awards and nominations
External links
Categories: 1986 Births, 20th-century American Actresses, 20th-century English Actresses, 21st-century American Actresses, 21st-century English Actresses, Actors From The London Borough Of Hammersmith And Fulham, Actresses From London, People From Hammersmith, Actresses From Los Angeles, Actresses From New York City, Alumni Of The Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art, American Child Actresses, American Female Models, American Film Actresses, American Soap Opera Actresses, American Stage Actresses, American Television Actresses, British Emigrants To The United States, British Soap Opera Actresses, British Child Actresses, English Female Models, English Film Actresses, English People Of Irish Descent, English Stage Actresses, English Television Actresses, Female Models From Los Angeles, Living People, Models From The London Borough Of Hammersmith And Fulham, Models From New York City, Naturalized Citizens Of The United States, People From Tribeca
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