What is Mischa Barton's Net Worth and Salary?
Mischa Barton is a talented actress with British, American, and Irish citizenship, boasting a net worth of $2.5 million. Best known for her iconic role as Marissa Cooper on the Fox teen drama "The O.C." (2003–2006), Mischa captivated audiences and earned the title of 2003's "It Girl" by Entertainment Weekly. She graced the cover of "People" magazine in 2013, where she candidly discussed her intense personal struggles in the years following her rise to fame. Mischa made her television return in 2009 with The CW's "The Beautiful Life," produced by Ashton Kutcher, and showcased her versatility in the 2012 Irish stage production of "Steel Magnolias." Beyond acting, she starred in memorable films like "The Sixth Sense" (1999) and "Notting Hill" (1999), and launched her fashion line, Mischa, in 2012.
Early Life
Born Mischa Anne Marsden Barton on January 24, 1986, in Hammersmith, London, she grew up in New York City with her Irish photographer mother Nuala, English foreign exchange broker father Paul, and sisters Hania and Zoe. Mischa's acting journey began at the tender age of 8, with her first film role following shortly after. She attended Manhattan's Professional Children's School, graduating in 2004, and further honed her craft with an Acting Shakespeare course at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2006, on the recommendation of Sir Richard Attenborough, her "Closing the Ring" director.
Career
Mischa's career took off in 1995 with a role in the Off-Broadway production of Tony Kushner's "Slavs!", receiving critical acclaim. She shared the stage with Marisa Tomei in "Twelve Dreams" at Lincoln Center and made her television debut on ABC's soap opera "All My Children." Her film debut came in 1997 with "Lawn Dogs," followed by box office hits "Notting Hill" and "The Sixth Sense" in 1999. Mischa voiced Betty Ann Bongo on Nickelodeon's "KaBlam!" and had a recurring role on ABC's "Once and Again."
Continuing her film career, she starred in "Paranoid" and "Skipped Parts" in 2000, and "Lost and Delirious," "Julie Johnson," and "Tart" in 2001. Mischa played the lead in Disney's "A Ring of Endless Light" in 2002 and appeared in her first music video, Enrique Iglesias' "Addicted," in 2003. She also featured in music videos for James Blunt and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Mischa's portrayal of Marissa Cooper in "The O.C." from 2003 to 2006 remains memorable, despite her character's tragic end. Following "The O.C.", she starred in "Closing the Ring," "Virgin Territory," and "St Trinian's" (2007), and "Assassination of a High School President" (2008). She returned to TV with "The Beautiful Life" in 2009.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Mischa received praise for her role as Shelby in a 2012 production of "Steel Magnolias" at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre, which later toured across Ireland. She joined ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" in 2016, finishing in 11th place. Mischa starred in over 40 movies in the 2000s, including "Into the Dark" (2012), "Hope Lost" (2014), and "The Toybox" (2018). In 2019, she joined MTV's reality series "The Hills: New Beginnings." She has also modeled for major brands like Aéropostale, Calvin Klein, and Dooney & Bourke, and designed handbags for ASOS.com in 2008.
Personal Life
In 2017, Mischa dated Australian model James Abercrombie, with the couple separating in 2019. Known for her commitment to social causes, she became the spokesperson for Climate Star in 2009 and teamed up with QVC for cancer research in 2007. Mischa supported the SAFE (Skin Awareness for Everyone) campaign in 2006 and served as an ambassador for Save the Children in 2007. Tragically, Mischa faced personal challenges, including an ex-boyfriend attempting to sell intimate photos and a sex tape without her consent, which led to a legal victory in 2017. She also encountered legal troubles with a DUI arrest in 2007 and a publicized psych ward stay in 2009. In 2015, Mischa filed a lawsuit against her mother for alleged financial misconduct and reputation damage.
Photo by Emirates via Getty Images
Awards and Honors
Mischa's standout performances have earned her numerous accolades, including a Teen Choice Award for Choice Breakout TV Star – Female in 2004, and Choice TV Actress in 2006. She has received five additional Teen Choice Award nominations. In 2018, Mischa won Best Actress in a Feature Film for "The Toybox" at the Northeast Film Festival. She also received nominations for Bravo Otto and Prism Awards in 2005 and 2007.
Real Estate
In 2005, Mischa purchased a $6.4 million Mediterranean-style home in Beverly Hills. The stunning 7,607-square-foot property featured six bedrooms, ten bathrooms, an iron and glass front door leading to a beamed-ceiling entrance, a formal living room with marble floors, a wood-burning fireplace, French doors to terraces, a large kitchen, a library/media room, and two guest suites. The outdoor area boasted numerous terraces, patios, and a sunken swimming pool. After defaulting on her mortgage, Mischa listed the home for $8.695 million in 2011 and eventually sold it for $7.05 million in 2016.
