Mischa Anne Marsden Barton (born 24 January 1986) is an Anglo-American film, television, and stage actress, perhaps best known for her role as Marissa Cooper in the American television series The O .C . Mischa Barton was born in London, England, to an Irish mother, Nuala (née Quinn), a photographer, and an English father, Paul Marsden Barton, a foreign exchange broker . She has two sisters, younger Hania and elder Zoe, a barrister in London . Her father's work took the family to New York City when Barton was six, and she became a naturalised citizen of the United States in 2006 . Retaining her British citizenship, Barton in reference to her British roots states, "I actually feel more comfortable in England a lot of the time". Barton graduated from the Professional Children's School in Manhattan in 2004, and took a summer short course called Acting Shakespeare at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, in June and July 2006, at Sir Richard Attenborough's urging, after he directed her in Closing the Ring. 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 due to its large fanbase, and resulted in Barton's fame being increased through her role as Marissa Cooper. Barton departed 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. In July 2006, Barton appeared on the British comedy variety show The Friday Night Project as a guest host. In 2007, Barton appeared in the film The Oh in Ohio, and again in Closing the Ring. She also appeared in the R-rated comedy film Virgin Territory with Hayden Christensen. Later in 2007, Barton was cast in the international film produced by the Russian band t.A.T.u., called You and I. .