The O.C. Cast: Then & Now

It's been nearly two decades since the words "Welcome to the O.C., bitch" lifted the curtain on the elusive world of the West Coast elite, where barely-there designer bikinis were the dress code and drama was always on the guest list. After years hanging by the shore – Crab Shack and lifeguard tower included – see how the personal and professional lives of the series' biggest stars have changed since the show's run from Aug. 5, 2003, until Feb. 22, 2007.

Then: The girl next door wore Chanel on The O.C., where Barton played SoCal sweetheart-meets-damsel in distress Marissa Cooper until her character's tragic death in season 3.
Now: When It girl Barton left The O.C., her career took a backseat to her 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." She went on to land a handful of other movie and TV appearances, from supernatural thriller I Will Follow You Into the Dark to TV pilot Gutsy Frog. In 2016, she competed on Dancing With the Stars, and made headlines once again when she joined the cast of The Hills: New Beginnings reboot in 2019. She currently has a crime thriller, Invitation to a Murder, in post-production. 

Then: Bilson melted hearts and perfected her tan as Summer Roberts, the popular girl who – you called it! – fell for the video game nerd (Adam Brody's Seth Cohen). Off camera, Bilson and Brody took their relationship beyond the beach, dating from 2003 until 2006.
Now: Bilson's 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's Hart of Dixie. She then headed for Nashville, where she played Alyssa Greene. Bilson now hosts a podcast with former O.C. costar Melinda Clarke, called Welcome To The O.C., Bitches! The actress has one child, daughter Briar Rose, whom she welcomed in October 2014 with now-ex Hayden Christensen. She most recently dated Barry star Bill Hader.

Then: 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.
Now: Since finishing his comic books, Brody has taken on a variety of roles ranging from a lethal lead singer in the 2009 dark comedy Jennifer's Body to a porn star in 2013's Lovelace. Most recently, Brody has starred in TV series like StartUp and Single Parents, as well as a role in 2020's Academy-Award winning Promising Young Woman. Though he didn't sail off into the sunset with Bilson on a "Summer" breeze, he ultimately wed fellow teen soap alum/former Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester (with whom he also starred in Single Parents!). The pair have welcomed two children together: daughter Arlo Day, in August 2015, and a baby boy in 2020. 

Then: 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.
Now: Two years after leaving his pool house residence, McKenzie joined the LAPD as Officer Ben Sherman on Southland, which aired until April 2013. He then took on the role of detective James Gordon in Gotham and Gotham Stories until 2019. McKenzie took on a theatrical role in 2020's play Grand Horizons, and most recently, he appeared in Prime's new 2022 rom-com I Want You Back. The actor married his Gotham costar Morena Baccarin, and the pair welcomed their second child together last year. 

Then: Who got Wilde's kiss of approval on The O.C.? As Alex Kelly, she hooked up with both Seth Cohen (Brody) and Marissa Cooper (Barton), while also helping to run local hot spot the Bait Shop.
Now: Wilde has made her mark in Hollywood over the past decade, with a 5-year stint on House M.D., roles in Tron: Legacy and Vinyl as well as in Spike Jonze's New York Film Festival darling, Her. Wilde made her directorial debut with 2019's hit comedy Booksmart. Romantically, Wilde was engaged to Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis for seven years until they went their separate ways in 2020. The former pair share two children together: son Otis and daughter Daisy. Wilde is currently dating Harry Styles, who stars in her upcoming film Don't Worry Darling, which she also directed. 

Then: Sandy Cohen, the lawyer father of Seth and son via adoption Ryan Atwood, who always knew best.
Now: The actor, whose Hollywood career long pre-dated The O.C. (American Beauty and While You Were Sleeping, anyone?!) continued suiting up as CIA Director of the National Clandestine Service on the USA drama Covert Affairs from 2010-2014. He then landed a recurring role on Law and Order: SVU as Deputy Chief William Dodds before going on to star in a number of other hit TV series, including Grace and Frankie, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist and most recently, Grey's Anatomy. Gallagher has been married to wife Paula Harwood since 1983; the pair share two children together. 

Then: 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.
Now: Clarke's next major role was equally as intense; on the CW's Nikita she played Amanda Collins, the master manipulator of a hush-hush government-funded organization. The show ran from 2010 to 2013. She's taken on some guest roles since, including on 2015's CSI: Immortality. Now, she co-hosts the Welcome To The O.C., Bitches! podcast with former costar Rachel Bilson. Clarke was previously married to Star Trek actor Ernie Mirich; the pair share one daughter together. In 2015, the actress wed professional river rafter Adam Farmer.