Mischa Barton had that early-2000s glow—fresh, trendy, and suddenly everywhere. We first saw her as the spooky little girl in The Sixth Sense, but it was The O.C. that truly made her a star. As Marissa Cooper, she became the teen drama royalty. She had the perfect look, amazing style, and unforgettable moments on the show.

But not everything was as shiny as it seemed. By 2006, just three seasons into the hit show, Barton made a surprising exit. It felt sudden, like the story stopped mid-sentence. Fans were left wondering why. Behind the glam and red carpets, she was under real pressure. Her quiet departure hinted that life behind the camera was a lot more complicated than anyone knew. Fame looked fun, but for Barton, it came with a storm she hadn’t signed up for.

Marissa Cooper’s tragic end in The O.C. Mischa Barton and...