Mischa Barton was born in Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom to an Irish mother, Nuala (née Quinn), a photographer, and an English father, Paul Marsden Barton, a foreign exchange broker. She has two sisters, Hania and Zoe.[1][2] Barton moved to New York City at the age of four and became a naturalised citizen of the United States in Los Angeles on February 3, 2006. Barton graduated from the Professional Children's School in Manhattan in 2004, and attended classes at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in the summer of 2006.
Career
Barton began acting at the age of eight (as she said on The Friday Night Project), co-starring in the Off Broadway premiere of Slavs!, written by Tony Kushner. She appeared in several other Off Broadway productions, taking a lead role in James Lapine's Twelve Dreams at Lincoln Center. She made her film debut in Lawn Dogs, which won awards at film festivals around the world. Since then, she has appeared in several films, such as The Sixth Sense, Notting Hill, St Trinians, and Closing the Ring. In St Trinians, she appeared as a former head girl of that school advising current senior pupils on fashion and style.
Barton first appeared on television in 1996, as young Lily Montgomery in the soap opera All My Children, and in a modern re-make of Bonnie and Clyde. She guest-starred in eight episodes of the television series Once and Again as Jessie Sammler's (Evan Rachel Wood's) girlfriend, Katie Singer. Other television appearances include an episode of the FOX series Fastlane, James Blunt's music video "Goodbye My Lover", and Enrique Iglesias' music video "Addicted".
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, and it put Barton on the map as Marissa Cooper, until her departure from the show in the third-season finale in May 2006. The O.C. dropped in ratings dramatically during its third and fourth seasons, and ended in early 2007.[3]
In July 2006, Barton appeared on the British comedy/variety show The Friday Night Project as a guest host.
Recently, Barton was cast in an upcoming international film produced by the Russian band t.A.T.u., called You and I.[4] She appeared in Assassination of a High School President, co-starring Bruce Willis, when the film premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
She recently appeared on the popular show Gok's Fashion Fix on Channel 4.
Endorsements
Barton has been in many television commercials and print advertising campaigns. Long time friend and mentor Ivan Bart of IMG Models New York has represented her throughout her career. 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.[5] In Australia, she appears in commercials for teen magazine Famous and was the guest of honor at retail giant David Jones Tahitian Summer Collection launch. She has also modeled jewelry for the company Waxing Poetic.
In 2007, Barton also became a spokesperson for the SAFE (Skin Awareness for Everyone) campaign. 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, modeling with Nicolas Bemberg.[6]
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.[7]
Personal life
Charitable affiliations
Barton is currently the spokesperson for “Climate Star”, an organization that fights Global Warming through social and legislative activism.[8]
Barton serves as an Entertainment Industry Foundation Ambassador teaming up with QVC to spread awareness and raise funds for women's cancer research through the Fashion Footwear Association of New York Shoes on Sale Initiative.[9]
In 2007, Barton also became a spokesperson for the SAFE (Skin Awareness for Everyone)[10] campaign and also lent her name to the TRAID campaign (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) in association with Visa Swap.[11]
Barton is an ambassador for "Save the Children" and the "One Water" campaign which brings water to remote locations in Africa., and is on the board of the "Lupus Research Committee" in Los Angeles.[12]
Arrest
Barton was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, and driving without a valid license on December 27, 2007.[13] She was stopped by police during the early morning hours in West Hollywood, California when she was seen "straddling the lanes and failing to signal for a turn". Police discovered during the traffic stop that Barton "was an unlicensed driver and was driving while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage".[13] She was detained and released later the same morning from the West Hollywood Sheriff Station on US$10,000 bail.
On Thursday, January 10, 2008, Barton called into Ryan Seacrest's radio show On Air with Ryan Seacrest (KIIS FM) and took full responsibility for her actions:
"I was pulled over... just that. Obviously, I’m 100% responsible for my actions in this case and I’m really disappointed in myself... I don’t know what to say about it, except that I’m not perfect and I just don’t ever intend to do something this stupid again."[14]
Barton was subsequently charged with two misdemeanors: driving without a valid license; and a DUI.[15]
Romantic life
Barton dated oil heir Brandon Davis, grandson of Marvin Davis, from 2004 to 2005. From 2005 to 2007 she was in a relationship with Whitestarr lead singer, and ex of Kimberly Stewart, Cisco Adler. They separated in 2007 when nude pictures of Adler began to circulate on the internet. At the end of 2007 there were rumours of a brief fling with actor, model and musician Jamie Dornan, after the two were seen leaving an Arcade Fire gig together in Brixton, London, but Barton has always denied they pursued a relationship. Barton is currently dating Rooney guitarist Taylor Locke (who appeared with his band on an episode of The O.C. back in 2004).
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