Mischa Barton

Crossing the Pond

Paul, an English former foreign exchange broker, and Nuala, an Irish homemaker and photographer, move their daughters – Zoe, Mischa and Hania – to New York City from London. Despite living in the U.S. most of her life, Barton tells PEOPLE in 2005, "I consider myself British."

Early Inspiration

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner casts 9-year-old Barton in his play Slavs! as a young Russian, opposite Oscar winner Marisa Tomei. In 2004, Barton tells PEOPLE that Kushner "is the reason I act for a living."

August

Beach Blastoff

After meeting producer McG while guest-starring on his short-lived crime series Fastlane, Barton is cast as the popular and privileged Marissa Cooper for his new FOX series The OC. "She was our only choice for Marissa," McG tells PEOPLE. The teen drama, which costars Benjamin McKenzie, Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson, soon draws huge audiences, propelling Barton to stardom.

February 24

Soap Opera Sweetie

Barton meets oil heir Brandon Davis, whose billionaire family was the inspiration for the 1980s nighttime soap Dynasty. In April, Davis confirms that they're in a relationship. The couple is a fixture on the Hollywood nightclub scene and vacation together in Saint Tropez. However, after more than a year of dating, Barton and Davis call it quits.

November

Midwest Move

Barton starts filming The OH in Ohio, a drama in which she plays a teen who seduces a teacher played by Paul Rudd. "If you're considered a 'pretty' girl, then you have a really hard time having people open up to find you roles, because they want to peg you as something," Barton tells Allure in 2005. "So I've chosen quite dark characters." The indie film grosses less than $500,000 at the box office.

February 10

On-Screen Sexuality

In a much-talked-about episode of The OC, Barton engages in a kiss with another woman, played by Olivia Wilde, who her character briefly dates. Viewer reaction? "Very Supportive," The OC creator Josh Schwartz tells PEOPLE.