Mischa Barton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mischa Barton
Barton in 2017
Born	Mischa Anne Marsden Barton (1986-01-24) 24 January 1986 (age 39) Hammersmith, London, England
Citizenship	United Kingdom United States
Occupation	Actress model fashion designer
Years active	1995–present
Parent(s)	Nuala Quinn-Barton (mother)

Mischa Anne Marsden Barton (born 24 January 1986) is an actress and model from both Britain and America. She started acting on stage in plays like Slavs! and Twelve Dreams in New York City. Her first TV appearance was in the show All My Children (1995). She also lent her voice to the cartoon series KaBlam! (1996–97).

Mischa Barton's first big movie role was in Lawn Dogs (1997). She also appeared in well-known films like the romantic comedy Notting Hill (1999) and the thriller The Sixth Sense (1999). She starred in the independent drama Lost and Delirious (2001). She also guest-starred on the TV show Once and Again (2001–02).

Barton became very famous for playing Marissa Cooper in the TV series The O.C. (2003–2006). For this role, she won two Teen Choice Awards. Entertainment Weekly magazine even called her the "It Girl" of 2003.

After The O.C., Barton acted in the comedy St Trinian's (2007) and the drama Closing the Ring (2007). She returned to TV in The Beautiful Life (2009). In 2012, she performed in the play Steel Magnolias in Ireland. She also appeared with Martin Sheen in Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain (2014). Critics praised her acting in independent films like Starcrossed (2014). More recently, Barton was in the first season of the MTV series The Hills: New Beginnings (2019–2021). In 2023, she joined the Australian soap opera Neighbours as a guest star.

Early life

Mischa Barton was born in Hammersmith, London, England. Her mother, Nuala Quinn-Barton, is from Ireland and works as a producer. Her father, Paul Marsden Barton, is from England and worked in finance.

Mischa has two sisters, Zoe (older) and Hania (younger). Her family moved to New York City when she was five years old because of her father's job. In 2006, she became a citizen of the United States. She also kept her British citizenship.

Barton finished school at the Professional Children's School in Manhattan in 2004. She also took a summer acting course in London in 2006. This was at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Career

Barton at a movie premiere in London.

Stage roles (1994–1997)

Mischa Barton started acting when she was eight years old. Her first play was Slavs! in 1994. Critics liked her performance, calling it "so fine" and "chillingly authoritative." She acted in other plays too, like Twelve Dreams at Lincoln Center. A critic noted her "sweet gravity" in that role.

In 1996, she was in Where the Truth Lies. The New York Times said she was a "winning child actress." In 1997, she performed in One Flea Spare at The Public Theater. This play won an award for Best Play.

Films and TV (1997–2003)

Mischa Barton made her first film appearance in Lawn Dogs. This movie won awards at film festivals. Critics praised her "poised" and "hypnotic" acting in the film. She then appeared in Notting Hill (1999) and The Sixth Sense (1999). Both films were very successful.

She also starred in Pups (1999). Film critic Roger Ebert praised her and her co-star's acting, calling it "natural and freed."

Barton first appeared on TV in 1994 in the soap opera All My Children. She later returned to the show in 1996. She also guest-starred in eight episodes of Once and Again. In 2001, she starred in the Canadian drama Lost and Delirious. Her acting in this film was widely praised. She also appeared in Julie Johnson (2001) and Tart (2001).

She was also in an episode of the TV series Fastlane (2003). Mischa Barton appeared in music videos too. She was in James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover" (2005) and Enrique Iglesias' "Addicted" (2003).

The O.C. (2003–2007)

In August 2003, the TV series The O.C. started on Fox. The show was about wealthy teenagers in Orange County, California. It became very popular quickly. Mischa Barton's role as Marissa Cooper made her famous.

She left the show after the third season in May 2006. During her time on The O.C., she won several Teen Choice Awards. Glamour magazine called her the "Next Big Thing."

In July 2006, Barton was a guest host on the British comedy show The Friday Night Project. In 2007, she appeared in the films The Oh in Ohio and Virgin Territory. She also joined Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer in the war drama Closing the Ring. The director, Richard Attenborough, praised her acting. She also appeared in the British comedy St Trinians (2007). Later in 2007, Barton was cast in the film You and I.

Independent films (2008–2018)

Mischa Barton appeared in Assassination of a High School President (2008) with Bruce Willis. Her performance was called "captivating." She also starred in the horror film Walled In (2009). Her acting in this movie was praised as "terrific." Her next horror film, Homecoming, was released in 2009. She also starred in Don't Fade Away (2009). In 2009, she started filming Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain with Martin Sheen. This film was about the Bhopal disaster.

In 2009, she starred in The Beautiful Life on The CW. The show was canceled after two episodes. Later, HP sponsored the show, and its episodes were shown on YouTube. She has since acted in many horror and thriller films. These include The Sibling, Cyberstalker, and Apartment 1303 3D. Barton also appeared in the supernatural thriller Into the Dark.

In May 2012, Barton said she had become very interested in the horror movie genre. In June, she appeared in Noel Gallagher's music video for Everybody's on the Run. In July 2012, Barton returned to the stage in an Irish play called Steel Magnolias. She received praise for her performance.

On 8 March 2016, Barton competed on Dancing with the Stars. She was paired with professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev. They were eliminated on 4 April 2016. Later in 2016, Barton was praised for her role in the drama Starcrossed. She was also recognized for her performance in Deserted. In 2018, Barton was cast in The Cat and the Moon.

The Hills reboot, Neighbours and recent films (2019–present)

In 2018, MTV announced a new version of The Hills called The Hills: New Beginnings. Mischa Barton was part of the cast for the first season. She had a small role in Spree (2020), which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. In October 2021, Barton was chosen to play a detective in the film Invitation To A Murder.

In April 2023, it was announced that Barton would be a guest star in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. She plays Reece Sinclair, the daughter of a rich American businessman.

Modelling, fashion design, and endorsements

Mischa Barton has appeared in many TV commercials and print ads. She has modeled for brands like Calvin Klein, bebe stores, Aéropostale, and Neutrogena. She became the spokesperson for Keds Sneakers, which helped increase their sales.

She has also supported Chanel jewelry. In 2009, she modeled jewelry for Inspired Creations. In 2008, she won the InStyle "icon of the year" award from Karl Lagerfeld.

Barton was a spokesperson for the SAFE (Skin Awareness for Everyone) campaign in 2007. She also supported the TRAID campaign (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development). In 2007, she was photographed for the Italian clothing brand Iceberg.

In July 2008, she created a collection of 14 handbags for the online store ASOS.com. She was very involved in designing the line. In December 2008, Barton launched her own line of headbands. She also has a handbag line for Ri2k, sold in the UK and Australia. In early 2009, she became the "new face" of Herbal Essences.

In June 2010, she was announced as the face of Philipp Plein couture. In May 2011, Barton became the "godmother" for designer Rosa Clará's collection at Barcelona Bridal Week. In October 2011, Barton was part of a meat-themed photoshoot for Tyler Shields.

In 2012, Barton opened a clothing store in London, but it closed later. She found that running a retail store was very challenging and expensive.

Charitable affiliations

In 2009, Mischa Barton was a spokesperson for Climate Star. This group works to fight global warming. In 2007, she worked with QVC to raise money for women's cancer research.

In 2006, Barton was a spokesperson for the SAFE (Skin Awareness for Everyone) campaign. In 2007, she also supported the TRAID campaign. In 2007, Barton was an ambassador for Save the Children. She also supported the "One Water" campaign, which helps bring water to places in Africa. She was also on the board of the Lupus Research Committee in Los Angeles.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Theatre

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Mischa Barton para niños