The OC Season 3 Cast

The OC season 3 cast remained fairly static losing only Tate Donovan and Alan Dale. Donovan returned for a brief appearance in Season 4.

The Cast of the OC.

The cast of the OC remained fairly steady through seasons 1 and 2, with minor changes in season 3. The biggest change to the OC season 3 cast happens at the end of the season when fan favorite Marissa Cooper played by Mischa Barton dies in the season finale.

Peter Gallagher plays public defender Sandy Cohen, the husband of Kirsten, father of Seth and the man who gave Ryan Atwood somewhere to go. Gallagher enjoyed character parts in the films While You Were Sleeping (he was the man Sandra Bullock mooned over), Titanic and American Beauty. At the series end, Gallagher’s Sandy is teaching law at U.C. Berkeley’s law school.

Kelly Rowan plays the role of Kirsten Cohen, Sandy’s wife and Seth’s mother. Kelly is a well-known character actress having guest-starred on numerous television shows since the 80s including Another World, Dallas, Growing Pain, War of the Worlds and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. At the end of the OC’s run, Kirsten is shown with her six-year-old daughter Sophie Rose at Seth and Summer’s wedding.

Benjamin McKenzie plays Ryan Atwood, the troubled teen who comes to live with the Cohens. His performance was noted with multiple Teen Choice award nominations and critical acclaim for his portrayal of Ryan's adjustment to life in Newport Beach. Benjamin has guest-starred on The District, JAG and Mad TV. He’s completed the feature films Johnny Got His Gun, 88 Minutes and Junebug. In the last episode of The OC, Benjamin’s Ryan is shown coming full circle from troubled teen to the man who offers to help another teenager in a similar situation.

Mischa Barton plays Marissa Cooper, the love of Ryan Atwood’s life who dies in his arms at the close of the season. Mischa’s enormous popularity with fans is based on a very busy resume that includes appearances in the films Notting Hill, the Sixth Sense, Lost and Delirious. The OC is not her first soap opera appearance. In 1996, Barton appeared on All My Children as Lily Montgomery (the adopted daughter of Jack Montgomery).

Adam Brody is the poster child for the OC with his quirky and endearing portrayal of Seth Cohen, the son of Sandy and Kirsten and ‘brother’ to Ryan. Adam’s films include The Ring, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, American Pie 2 and Thank You For Smoking. Gilmore Girls fans will remember Adam as Dave Rygaliski who won Lane’s heart in Season 3 of Gilmore Girls. At the end of the OC, Adam’s character Seth wed his high school sweetheart Summer.

Rachel Bilson plays Summer Roberts, the love of Seth Cohen’s life and one of the four main teens that make up the central cast of the OC. Rachel’s guest-starred on other popular genre shows such as Chuck, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and That 70s Show. Rachel plays the featured love interest of Hayden Christensen in the feature film Jumper. At the end of the OC, Rachel’s Summer is shown marrying her high school sweetheart Seth.

Melinda Clarke plays Julie Cooper-Nichol, the mother of Marissa and Kaitlin Cooper. Melinda’s soap history begins very close to home. Her father John Clarke played original cast member Mickey Horton on Days of Our Lives from 1965 to 2004. Melinda also appeared on Days of Our Lives. She is a well known guest star, appearing on shows Enterprise, Charmed, Everwood, Firefly, The District, Entourage, Xena: Warrior Princess, Sliders and many more. At the end of the OC’s run Julie is shown to be graduating college.

Autumn Reeser plays Taylor Townsend although she did not officially join the OC cast until Season 4, she is featured in many episodes in Season 3. Taylor plays parts in Lost Boys: The Tribe as well as guest-starring on the quirky drama Pushing Daisies. At the end of the OC, Autumn’s Taylor shares a lingering look with Ryan Atwood. Formerly a couple, the paid showed signs of rekindling their romance at Seth and Summer’s wedding.

Willa Holland plays Kaitlin Cooper, Marissa’s wild child younger sister. Willa appears in the films Chasing 3000 and Garden Party. At the end of the OC, Willa’s Kaitlin is shown congratulating her mother Julie about graduating from college.

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