The cast of ‘The O.C.'.Photo:Courtesy Everett Collection
Courtesy Everett Collection
In August 2003, the words “Welcome to the O.C., b—-” lifted the curtain on the elusive world of the West Coast elite, where designer bikinis were the dress code and drama was always on the guest list.The O.C.ran for four seasons — airing 92 episodes from its 2003 premiere through February 2007 — following Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), a troubled teen from Chino who moved to Newport Beach to live with his public defender’s family. Friendships and romances blossomed on the Fox series as its young cast was thrust into the spotlight.See how the rest of the cast, includingMischa Barton,Adam BrodyandRachel Bilson, have changed since their time spent in Orange County.
In August 2003, the words “Welcome to the O.C., b—-” lifted the curtain on the elusive world of the West Coast elite, where designer bikinis were the dress code and drama was always on the guest list.
The O.C.ran for four seasons — airing 92 episodes from its 2003 premiere through February 2007 — following Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), a troubled teen from Chino who moved to Newport Beach to live with his public defender’s family. Friendships and romances blossomed on the Fox series as its young cast was thrust into the spotlight.
See how the rest of the cast, includingMischa Barton,Adam BrodyandRachel Bilson, have changed since their time spent in Orange County.
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Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper
FOX; JB Lacroix/WireImage
The girl next door wore Chanel onThe O.C., where Barton played SoCal sweetheart-meets-damsel-in-distress Marissa Cooper until her character’s tragic death in season 3. Barton would later claim that she departed the series because of"bullying" behind the scenes.
When It girl Barton leftThe O.C., her career took a backseat toher partying ways, leading to a 2007 DUI arrest and a 2009 suicide threat. She opened up to PEOPLE about her ups and downs, explaining, “It was a full-on breakdown.” Barton also was involved in ahigh-profile revenge porn lawsuitagainst a former boyfriend who allegedly tried to sell a sex tape featuring Barton.
02of 16Rachel Bilson as Summer RobertsEverett; Picture Perfect/Rex USABilson melted hearts and perfected her tan as Summer Roberts, the popular girl who — you called it! — fell for the video game nerd (Brody’s Seth Cohen). Off camera, Bilson and Brody took their relationship beyond the beach, dating from 2003 until 2006.The actress’ first big role post-O.C.saw her move from Orange County to Bluebell, Ala., where she played displaced New Yorker Dr. Zoe Hart on The CW’sHart of Dixie. She then headed forNashville, where she played Alyssa Greene, and the short-lived ABC seriesTake Two. Her film roles includeJumper(2008),New York, I Love You(2008) andThe To Do List(2013). Bilson hosts a podcast with formerO.C.costar Melinda Clarke, calledWelcome to the O.C., Bitches!Bilson has one child, daughter Briar Rose, whom shewelcomed in October 2014with now-exHayden Christensen. In 2020, she broke up withBarrystar Bill Haderafter they dated for several months.
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Rachel Bilson as Summer Roberts
Everett; Picture Perfect/Rex USA
Bilson melted hearts and perfected her tan as Summer Roberts, the popular girl who — you called it! — fell for the video game nerd (Brody’s Seth Cohen). Off camera, Bilson and Brody took their relationship beyond the beach, dating from 2003 until 2006.
The actress' first big role post-O.C.saw her move from Orange County to Bluebell, Ala., where she played displaced New Yorker Dr. Zoe Hart on The CW’sHart of Dixie. She then headed forNashville, where she played Alyssa Greene, and the short-lived ABC seriesTake Two. Her film roles includeJumper(2008),New York, I Love You(2008) andThe To Do List(2013). Bilson hosts a podcast with formerO.C.costar Melinda Clarke, calledWelcome to the O.C., Bitches!
Bilson has one child, daughter Briar Rose, whom shewelcomed in October 2014with now-exHayden Christensen. In 2020, she broke up withBarrystar Bill Haderafter they dated for several months.
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Adam Brody as Seth Cohen
Everett; Joseph Gotfriedy/Broadimage
Brody’s chic geek alter ego loved all things comic books, Chrismukkah and, of course, Summer Roberts. Besides taking his love for leading lady Bilson off-screen, he also introduced the show’s tween fan base to indie bands like Death Cab for Cutie.
Though Brody didn’t sail off into the sunset with Bilson on a “Summer” breeze, he ultimatelywed fellow teen soap alum/formerGossip GirlstarLeighton Meester(with whom he also starred inSingle Parents!). The pair have two children together: adaughter Arlo Day, born in August 2015, anda son, born in 2020.
04of 16Ben McKenzie as Ryan AtwoodWarner Bros; James Atoa/Everett CollectionGood-looking bad boy Ryan Atwood brought as much drama as the Newport housewives when he navigated his post-Chino life and tidal wave-like relationship with Barton’s Marissa Cooper — all while wearing his signature white tank top.Two years after leaving his pool house residence, McKenzie joined the LAPD as Officer Ben Sherman onSouthland, which aired until April 2013. He then took on the role of detective James Gordon onGothamandGotham Storiesuntil 2019. McKenzie then made his Broadway debut in 2020’sGrand Horizons,and appeared in Amazon Prime Video’s 2022 rom-comI Want You Back.McKenziemarried hisGothamcostarMorena Baccarinin 2017, and the pairwelcomed their second child togetherin 2021.
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Ben McKenzie as Ryan Atwood
Warner Bros; James Atoa/Everett Collection
Good-looking bad boy Ryan Atwood brought as much drama as the Newport housewives when he navigated his post-Chino life and tidal wave-like relationship with Barton’s Marissa Cooper — all while wearing his signature white tank top.
Two years after leaving his pool house residence, McKenzie joined the LAPD as Officer Ben Sherman onSouthland, which aired until April 2013. He then took on the role of detective James Gordon onGothamandGotham Storiesuntil 2019. McKenzie then made his Broadway debut in 2020’sGrand Horizons,and appeared in Amazon Prime Video’s 2022 rom-comI Want You Back.
McKenziemarried hisGothamcostarMorena Baccarinin 2017, and the pairwelcomed their second child togetherin 2021.
05of 16Olivia Wilde as Alex KellyWarner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection; Stefanie Keenan/Getty ImagesWho gotOlivia Wilde’s kiss of approval onThe O.C.? As Alex Kelly, she hooked up with both Seth Cohen (Brody) and Marissa Cooper (Barton), while also helping to run the local hot spot, the Bait Shop. Though Wilde only appeared in 13 episodes ofThe O.C., her character certainly made an impression.Since leavingThe O.C., Wilde had a five-year stint onHouse M.D., roles inTron: Legacy(2010) and onVinylas well as in Spike Jonze’s New York Film Festival darling,Her. Wilde made her directorial debut with 2019’s hit comedyBooksmart.Romantically, Wilde was engaged toTed LassostarJason Sudeikisfor seven years until theywent their separate ways in 2020. The former pair share two children: son Otis and daughter Daisy. Wilde was then involved in ahigh-profile relationship with Harry Styles, who starred in her 2022 filmDon’t Worry Darling, which she also directed. However,Wilde and Stylessplit in November 2022.
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Olivia Wilde as Alex Kelly
Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection; Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images
Who gotOlivia Wilde’s kiss of approval onThe O.C.? As Alex Kelly, she hooked up with both Seth Cohen (Brody) and Marissa Cooper (Barton), while also helping to run the local hot spot, the Bait Shop. Though Wilde only appeared in 13 episodes ofThe O.C., her character certainly made an impression.
Since leavingThe O.C., Wilde had a five-year stint onHouse M.D., roles inTron: Legacy(2010) and onVinylas well as in Spike Jonze’s New York Film Festival darling,Her. Wilde made her directorial debut with 2019’s hit comedyBooksmart.
Romantically, Wilde was engaged toTed LassostarJason Sudeikisfor seven years until theywent their separate ways in 2020. The former pair share two children: son Otis and daughter Daisy. Wilde was then involved in ahigh-profile relationship with Harry Styles, who starred in her 2022 filmDon’t Worry Darling, which she also directed. However,Wilde and Stylessplit in November 2022.
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Peter Gallagher as Sandy Cohen
FOX; Guillermo Proano/WENN
Gallagher has been married to his wife Paula Harwood since 1983; the pair share two children, including Tony-nominated actressKathryn Gallagher.
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Kelly Rowan as Kirsten Cohen
WB / Courtesy: Everett ; Jemal Countess/Getty
SinceThe O.C.ended, Rowan has had a few film and television roles, most notably starring on the TNT crime drama seriesPerception. She also produced several of her own projects, including the 2007 Lifetime movieIn God’s Country.
In 2007, she announced that she wasengaged to billionaire David Thomson, 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet, though the pair never married. In April 2008, Rowan gave birth to a daughter.
08of 16Melinda Clarke as Julie CooperEverett; All Access Photo/Splash NewsBarton’s on-screen mom, the ever-conniving (but always comedic!) Julie Cooper, had it going on — even when she had to trade in her mansion for a trailer park.Melinda Clarke’s next major role was equally as intense; on the CW’sNikitashe played Amanda Collins, the master manipulator of a hush-hush government-funded organization. The show ran from 2010 to 2013. Before, during and after her role onThe O.C., Clarke had a recurring role onCSIas Lady Heather, appearing in six episodes and the series finale movie,CSI: Immortality(2015). She has also appeared in guest roles on series likeChuck,Eli Stone,Ghost Whisperer,The Vampire Diaries,Vegas,DallasandGotham. Clarke co-hosts theWelcome to the O.C., Bitches!podcast with former costar Bilson.Clarke was previously married toStar Trekactor Ernie Mirich; the pair share a daughter together. In 2015, the actresswed professional river rafter Adam Farmer.
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Melinda Clarke as Julie Cooper
Everett; All Access Photo/Splash News
Barton’s on-screen mom, the ever-conniving (but always comedic!) Julie Cooper, had it going on — even when she had to trade in her mansion for a trailer park.
Melinda Clarke’s next major role was equally as intense; on the CW’sNikitashe played Amanda Collins, the master manipulator of a hush-hush government-funded organization. The show ran from 2010 to 2013. Before, during and after her role onThe O.C., Clarke had a recurring role onCSIas Lady Heather, appearing in six episodes and the series finale movie,CSI: Immortality(2015). She has also appeared in guest roles on series likeChuck,Eli Stone,Ghost Whisperer,The Vampire Diaries,Vegas,DallasandGotham. Clarke co-hosts theWelcome to the O.C., Bitches!podcast with former costar Bilson.
Clarke was previously married toStar Trekactor Ernie Mirich; the pair share a daughter together. In 2015, the actresswed professional river rafter Adam Farmer.
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Tate Donovan as Jimmy Cooper
WB / Courtesy: Everett ; Noam Galai/FilmMagic
Donovan was previously married to Corinne Kingsbury.The couple divorced in 2008.
10of 16Chris Carmack as Luke WardChris Carmack.Alamy, Stewart Cook via GettyChris Carmack’s breakthrough television role came in 2003 when he joinedThe O.C. cast as Luke Ward, Marrisa Cooper’s long term boyfriend who delivered the famous line: “Welcome to the O.C., b—-!” After leaving the show in 2004, Carmack continued acting on series likeBeach Girls,Relatedand even landed a starring role onNashville. Since 2018, the now 42-year-old actor has appeared on ABC’sGrey’s Anatomyas Dr. Atticus ‘Link’ Lincoln.In addition to acting, Carmack also began a music career, releasing music on his own and with his wife,Erin Slaveraspart of their band Life on Eris. Carmack and Slaver wed in October 2018 and are parents to two daughters, Kai and Cielle.
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Chris Carmack as Luke Ward
Chris Carmack.Alamy, Stewart Cook via Getty
Alamy, Stewart Cook via Getty
Chris Carmack’s breakthrough television role came in 2003 when he joinedThe O.C. cast as Luke Ward, Marrisa Cooper’s long term boyfriend who delivered the famous line: “Welcome to the O.C., b—-!” After leaving the show in 2004, Carmack continued acting on series likeBeach Girls,Relatedand even landed a starring role onNashville. Since 2018, the now 42-year-old actor has appeared on ABC’sGrey’s Anatomyas Dr. Atticus ‘Link’ Lincoln.
In addition to acting, Carmack also began a music career, releasing music on his own and with his wife,Erin Slaveraspart of their band Life on Eris. Carmack and Slaver wed in October 2018 and are parents to two daughters, Kai and Cielle.
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Autumn Reeser as Taylor Townsend
Autumn Reeser.Alamy, Emily Assiran/Getty
Alamy, Emily Assiran/Getty
Autumn Resser first appeared on television in the early 2000s, landing brief roles onStar Trek: Voyager,Undressed,Maybe It’s MeandGeorge Lopez. Resser joinedThe O.C.cast in season three as Taylor Townsend, who initially has a rough start getting into the group, but ultimately gains their friendship.
She shares two sons with her ex-husband, Jesse Warren.
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Willa Holland as Kaitlin Cooper
Willa Holland.Alamy, Getty
Alamy, Getty
Since the series wrapped in 2007, Holland has stepped into roles in films includingMiddle of Nowhere,Legion,Straw Dogsand the starring role in the film adaptation of Judy Blume’sTiger Eyes. Her longest-running role was Thea Queen onArrowfrom 2012 to 2020.
13of 16Cam Gigandet as Kevin VolchokCam Gigandet.Alamy, Gilbert Flores/Variety via GettyCam Gigandet’s role as Kevin Volchok on the third and fourth seasons ofThe O.C.was one of the actor’s first major roles. From there, he landed numerous film roles inNever Back Down,Easy A,Burlesque,The Roommateand is perhaps most known for his role as James inTwilight.He has also appeared in two television series since wrappingThe O.C.:RecklessandIce.More recently, Gigandet starred inViolent NightwithDavid Harbour,Shrapneland ‘Til Death Do Us Part.He shares three children, Everleigh, Rekker, and Armie withex Dominique Nicole Geisendorff, who filed for divorce from the actor in August 2022.
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Cam Gigandet as Kevin Volchok
Cam Gigandet.Alamy, Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Alamy, Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Cam Gigandet’s role as Kevin Volchok on the third and fourth seasons ofThe O.C.was one of the actor’s first major roles. From there, he landed numerous film roles inNever Back Down,Easy A,Burlesque,The Roommateand is perhaps most known for his role as James inTwilight.He has also appeared in two television series since wrappingThe O.C.:RecklessandIce.
More recently, Gigandet starred inViolent NightwithDavid Harbour,Shrapneland ‘Til Death Do Us Part.
He shares three children, Everleigh, Rekker, and Armie withex Dominique Nicole Geisendorff, who filed for divorce from the actor in August 2022.
14of 16Alan Dale as Caleb NicholAlan Dale.Alamy, GettyWhen Alan Dale stepped into the role of Caleb Nichol — Seth Cohen’s grandfather — in season one ofThe O.C., he had decades of acting credits to his name dating back to the late ’70s. The New Zealand native had recurring roles on shows like Radio WavesandThe Young Doctorsand, in the early 2000s, appeared briefly onER,The West Wingand24.From 1985 to 2019 Dale played Jim Robinson on the Australian soap,The Neighbours.After departingThe O.C. in season two, Dale continued to act, appearing in series likeUgly Betty,Lost,Entourage(reprising his role in the 2015 film),NCISandOnce Upon a Time. He most recently appeared in theDynastyreboot from 2017 to 2021.
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Alan Dale as Caleb Nichol
Alan Dale.Alamy, Getty
When Alan Dale stepped into the role of Caleb Nichol — Seth Cohen’s grandfather — in season one ofThe O.C., he had decades of acting credits to his name dating back to the late ’70s. The New Zealand native had recurring roles on shows like Radio WavesandThe Young Doctorsand, in the early 2000s, appeared briefly onER,The West Wingand24.From 1985 to 2019 Dale played Jim Robinson on the Australian soap,The Neighbours.
After departingThe O.C. in season two, Dale continued to act, appearing in series likeUgly Betty,Lost,Entourage(reprising his role in the 2015 film),NCISandOnce Upon a Time. He most recently appeared in theDynastyreboot from 2017 to 2021.
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Samaire Armstrong as Anna Stern
Samaire Armstrong.Alamy, Danielle Del Valle/Getty
Alamy, Danielle Del Valle/Getty
After beginning her career on television in the early 2000s, landing brief roles on shows likeParty of Five,Freaks and GeeksandER,Samaire Armstrongjoined the cast ofThe O.C. in 2003 as transfer student Anna Stern. While onThe O.C., she also snagged a role onEntourage,playing the recurring role of Emily from 2004 to 2005.
Armstrong, who welcomed a son in 2012, ran for mayor in Sedona, Arizona in 2022 but wound up losing to Scott Jablow.
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Michael Cassidy as Zach Stevens
Michael Cassidy.Alamy, Ella Hovsepian/Getty Images
Alamy, Ella Hovsepian/Getty Images
As a television star, Cassidy went on to appear as a recurring character on drama seriesHidden Palms,PrivilegedandSmallville. He held a main cast role on the sitcomMen at Workduring its entire three-season run from 2012 through 2014.The O.C.alum has continued on the small screen with roles onStation 19,Mythic QuestandGood Trouble, the spinoff of Freeform’sThe Fosters.
source: people.com
