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Mischa Barton - Biography

The actress rose to fame on The OC

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 23: Mischa Barton attends the 70th Anniversary of the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 23, 2017 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
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Mischa Barton's early life

Born on January 24, 1986, in the west London borough of Hammersmith to a Mancunian father and Irish mum, Mischa moved to New York as a five-year-old. US citizenship was only granted to her ten days after her 20th birthday.  

Mischa briefly attended St. Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith before going on to attend the Professional Children's School in Manhattan, where she graduated from in 2004.

Two years later, she went on to take a summer short course called Acting Shakespeare at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London after being encouraged by Sir Richard Attenborough, who directed her in Closing the Ring.

Mischa Barton's acting career

Mischa began her career at the tender age of eight, taking the lead role in the Off-Broadway play Slavs!. She made her TV debut with a guest appearance on the American soap opera All My Children, and followed this with a move onto the silver screen in 1997's coming-of-age movie Lawn Dogs. Small but significant parts in The Sixth Sense and Notting Hill also came her way. 

In 2004, Mischa graduated from the Professional Children's School and had already landed a role on the Fox teen drama, The OC. The show was a huge overnight success and boosted Mischa's career. The actress received two Teen Choice Awards for her role and was named Entertainment Weekly's 2003 'It Girl'. 

The star went on to appear in various movies and TV shows, including St. Trinians and Virgin Territory. She also appeared in a number of independent films - for which she garnered critical praise -  before returning to television in the drama series, The Beautiful Life, on The CW. ​​​

In 2012, Mischa went back to her roots and performed in the Irish stage production of Steel Magnolias. Two years later, she appeared alongside Martin Sheen in Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain.

Her most recent screen credits include the MTV series The Hills: New Beginnings, which is a reboot of The Hills, and the 2023 reboot of Australian soap opera, Neighbours.

Mischa Barton's modelling career

Mischa has also enjoyed a successful modelling career and has appeared on various commercials and advertising campaigns. She's modelled for companies such as Calvin Klein, Monsoon Accessorize and Neutrogena skincare.

Clearly a fashion trailblazer, the actress was the recipient of the InStyle "icon of the year" award from Karl Lagerfeld at the Viper awards in Berlin in 2008. 

Mischa Barton's personal life

From 2021, Mischa was reported to be dating Gian Marco Flamini since 2021. She was previously linked to oil heir Brandon Davis, musician Cisco Adler, and the Australian model, James Abercrombie

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