Peter Gallagher expresses relief that Mischa Barton survived early “toxic” fame

Actor Peter Gallagher recently expressed his gratitude that his former The O.C. co-star Mischa Barton, now 38, is “still alive” after experiencing the pressures of fame at an early age.

Speaking to The Independent, Gallagher, 69, highlighted the potentially damaging effects of “first fame” on young actors, noting, “First fame is toxic. First fame can kill you.” Gallagher, who portrayed Sandy Cohen on the popular early 2000s teen drama, said he felt “very protective” of Barton, who played Marissa Cooper and was cast at just 16.

Barton’s rise to stardom on The O.C. led to intense public scrutiny and personal struggles, which culminated in a series of highly publicized incidents. In 2007, Barton faced legal issues, including a DUI arrest, and in 2009, she was hospitalized on a 5150 involuntary psychiatric hold. Reflecting on this period in a 2013 interview with People, Barton likened her breakdown to Angelina Jolie’s character in Girl, Interrupted, describing it as “terrifying,” but clarified, “I was never suicidal. I was just overworked and depressed.”

Barton has since spoken openly about the toll fame took on her. She described her young adult years in Los Angeles as “a train I could not get off of,” telling People that she eventually had to step away to focus on her health, explaining, “I needed to be on my own and get healthy.” Despite efforts to improve her well-being, Barton has continued to face scrutiny, including critical comments on her weight. “It was always, ‘She’s too skinny, she must be sick,’” Barton recalled, adding, “Then it was, ‘She’s too big.’ I was never the right weight.”

In 2023, Barton told The Sunday Times that while she was “fully prepared for that level of fame,” the experiences left lasting impacts, stating, “There’s just a certain amount of trauma...that just doesn’t go away overnight.”