Mischa Barton


Mischa Barton is a British-Irish-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, and voicing a character on the Nickelodeon cartoon series KaBlam!. Her first major film role was as the protagonist of Lawn Dogs, a drama co-starring Sam Rockwell. She appeared in major pictures such as the romantic comedy Notting Hill and M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller The Sixth Sense. She also starred in the indie crime drama Pups.
Barton later appeared in the independent drama Lost and Delirious and guest-starred as Evan Rachel Wood's girlfriend on ABC's Once and Again. She played Marissa Cooper in the Fox television series The O.C., 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, the Richard Attenborough–directed drama Closing the Ring and Assassination of a High School President. She returned to television, starring in the short-lived Ashton Kutcher-produced CW series '. In 2012, she returned to the stage, performing in the Irish production of Steel Magnolias. She also appeared alongside Martin Sheen in '. She has garnered critical praise for her roles in independent films, with the Los Angeles Times praising her "standout" performance in Starcrossed. Barton has been cast in the MTV series , a reboot of the hit show The Hills.

Early life

Barton was born at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in Hammersmith, London, to an Irish mother, Nuala, a photographer, and an English father, Paul Marsden Barton, a foreign exchange broker from Manchester. Barton's maternal grandfather was an Irish language professor at Queen's University Belfast. She has two sisters, younger Hania Barton and elder Zoe, a barrister in London. Barton has stated that she briefly attended St. Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith, but her father's work took the family to New York City when Barton was five years old. In 2006, she became a naturalised citizen of the United States, but has also retained her British citizenship. She also holds Irish citizenship, being an Irish citizen automatically by virtue of her mother being Irish.
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.

Career

1994–1997: Stage roles

Barton began acting at the age of eight, co-starring in the Off-Broadway premiere of the 1994 play, Slavs!, written by Tony Kushner. Vincent Canby of The New York Times praised Barton's "so fine" and "chillingly authoritative" performance. New York magazine also praised her as "a darling little girl, exhibits consummate charm". She appeared in several other Off-Broadway productions, taking a lead role in James Lapine's Twelve Dreams alongside Marisa Tomei at Lincoln Center. Canby again praised Barton, noting that she "has a sweet gravity as the doomed Emma". In 1996 Barton had a supporting role in Catherine Butterfield's Where the Truth Lies which opened at New York's Irish Repertory Theatre. The New York Times also remarked that "the winning child actresses Brittany Boyd and Mischa Barton are already smart enough not to overplay the naivete and precocity of their respective characters." In 1997, she appeared alongside Dianne Wiest at The Public Theater in Naomi Wallace's One Flea Spare. The New York production went on to win the Obie Award for Best Play.

1997–2003: Feature films and television

She made her film debut in Lawn Dogs, which won awards at film festivals around the world. Barton won critical favour for her role, with Janet Maslin of The New York Times praising her "poised" performance and Empire celebrating her "hypnotic central performance". Barton then appeared in Notting Hill and The Sixth Sense. Both films were critically and commercially successful, respectively earning $363,889,700 and $672,806,292. She also starred in Pups, a "Dog Day Afternoon for the MTV generation", alongside Burt Reynolds; along with her co-star Cameron Van Hoy, film critic Roger Ebert called their work in the film "two of the most natural and freed performances I have seen by actors of any age."
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 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 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 with Brad Renfro and Dominique Swain.
Other television appearances include an episode of the Fox series Fastlane. She also appears as the love interest in James Blunt's music video "Goodbye My Lover" and in Enrique Iglesias' music video "Addicted".

2003–2007: ''The O.C.''

In August 2003, Fox premiered the television series The O.C., about affluent teenagers with stormy personal lives who reside in scenic Orange County, California. The show became an overnight success due to its large fanbase, and resulted in Barton's fame being increased through her role as Marissa Cooper. Barton departed from the show in the third-season finale in May 2006. During her time on the show, Barton garnered several Teen Choice Awards. She was also celebrated by Glamour as the "Next Big Thing". The O.C. dropped in ratings dramatically during its third and fourth seasons, and ended in early 2007.
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, 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.

2008–2018: Independent films

She appeared in Assassination of a High School President, 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". 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.
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. The series was subsequently cancelled on 25 September 2009 after televising 2 episodes. In December 2009, the technology company HP became the show's sponsor. airing the show's five episodes on YouTube.
She guest starred on ', played an endangered prostitute in an episode that aired on 3 March 2010. She has since mainly filmed horror and thriller projects, taking roles in The Sibling, Cyberstalker, a Lifetime television film and Apartment 1303 3D, the English-language remake of the Japanese horror film, Apartment 1303. Barton also appeared alongside Ryan Eggold in Mark Edwin Robinson's supernatural romance thriller, Into the Dark.
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." In June, Barton appeared in Noel Gallagher's music video forEverybody's on the Run.
In July 2012, Barton made her stage return in an Irish production of Steel Magnolias, playing Shelby. It premiered at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin in September, and a nationwide tour followed thereafter. After the premiere on 12 September, 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".
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."
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.

2019: ''The Hills: New Beginnings'' and acting

At the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards, MTV announced a reboot of The Hills entitled , slated to premiere in 2019. Barton was announced as part of the cast of the new series.
Barton appears alongside Stranger Things star Joe Keery in Spree. The film premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival on 24 January 2020.

Modelling, fashion design, and endorsements

Barton has been in many television commercials and print advertising campaigns. Barton has modelled for companies Calvin Klein, bebe stores, Aéropostale, Monsoon Accessorize, Dooney & Bourke, JC, 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, 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.
In 2008, she won the InStyle "icon of the year" award from Karl Lagerfeld at the Viper awards in Berlin.
Barton also became a spokesperson for the SAFE campaign in 2007. In addition, she lent her name to the TRAID campaign 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. In early 2009, she became the "new face" of Herbal Essences.
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.
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 December 2011 it was reported that Barton planned to open a clothes and shoes store in Shoreditch, the store had the working title of 'Mischa's Closet'. In March 2012 she debuted a new line of clothing, accessories, cosmetics, and bath products on the internet called Mischa's Place. Barton has plans to expand Mischa's Place beyond the internet and is set to open a Mischa's Place flagship store in London at Spitalfields Market.

Personal life

Barton purchased a house in Los Angeles at age nineteen, which she was sharing with her parents as of 2010; in 2012 she stated that she splits her time between there and apartments in London and New York.

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.
In 2006, Barton served as a spokesperson for the SAFE campaign and also lent her name to the TRAID campaign 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.

Magic

Barton is a self-confessed big 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. In 2007, while dating magician Brandon Silverfield, she made a number of guest appearances as an assistant in his Las Vegas stage show.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1995Polio WaterDianeShort film
1997Lawn DogsDevon Stockard
1999PupsRocky
1999Notting Hill12-Year-Old Actress
1999'Kyra Collins
2000ParanoidTheresa
2000Skipped PartsMaurey Pierce
2001Lost and DeliriousMary 'Mouse' Bedford
2001Julie JohnsonLisa Johnson
2001TartGrace Bailey
2003OctaneNatasha 'Nat' Wilson
2006'Kristen Taylor
2007Closing the RingYoung Ethel Ann
2007St Trinian'sJJ French
2007Virgin TerritoryPampinea
2008Assassination of a High School PresidentFrancesca Fachini
2009Walled InSam Walczak
2009HomecomingShelby Mercer
2010Don't Fade AwayKat
2011You and ILana
2012Into the DarkSophia Monet
2012Ben BanksAmy
2012Apartment 1303 3DLara Slate
2013'Eva Gascon
2013'JessieAlso producer
2014Toni
2014Mining for RubyJessica King
2014Hope LostAlina
2015L.A. SlasherThe Actress
2015CheckmateLauren Campbell
2015The HoarderElla
2015Swat Unit: 877Agent Melanie Hamlin
2015American Beach HouseMs. Maureen
2015StarcrossedKat
2015OperatorPamela Miller
2016DesertedJae
2017Monsters at LargeKatie Parker
2017The ExecutorTara
2018The MalevolentMs Lowell
2018The BasementKelly Owen
2018The ToyboxSamantha
2018Ouija HouseSamantha
2018PapaJennifer
2018PainkillersThe Girl
2018The Cat and the MoonJessica Petersen
2020SpreeLondon

Television

Music videos

Theatre

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryWorkResult
2004Teen Choice AwardsChoice Breakout TV Star – FemaleThe O.C.
2004Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Actress – Drama/Action AdventureThe O.C.
2005Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Actress: DramaThe O.C.
2005Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Chemistry with Ben McKenzieThe O.C.
2005Teen Choice AwardsChoice Red Carpet Fashion Icon: Female
2006Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV ActressThe O.C.
2006Teen Choice AwardsChoice Red Carpet Fashion Icon: Female
2006Teen Choice Awards---
2006Teen Choice Awards---
-Teen Choice Awards---