Happy birthday, OC! As an original fan of the show myself I personally feel that the 10th anniversary of the fan favorite is an 'old' slap across the face. Over the years I've always wondered if my interest in and love for the OC was due to the immaturity of my age. And every time I wonder this, I watch the pilot episode, decide NOPE this is freaking fantastic and proceed to rewatch the entire first season. Yes, it's that good...
ANYWHOOZLES it's been 10 years and the show is still a quintessential part of every teen's formative years, whether they watched the original airings or caught the show via their older siblings' DVD collection. But the show wasn't only responsible for forming the wide range of emotions it instilled in its viewers; If you look closely, you'll see the careers of many now prominent actors and actresses were kickstarted by finding their way over to Newport Harbor.
1. Max Greenfield
Before Max was the over confident ladies' man Schmidt on Fox's New Girl, he had a one episode appearance as a young sandy cohen when we see how Sandy and Kirsten first met, awww
2. Morena Baccarin
Before Ms. Baccarin was Ms. Brody on the hugely successful 'Homeland,' she was Maya, the daughter of the head of hospital board who had a brief fling with Matt Ramsey, one of Sandy's co-partners.
3. Lucy Hale
Before she had her own hit show with legions of fans, Lucy Hale played Kaitlin Cooper's boarding school roommate. Here's a clip summing up her minor role - can you count how many times she says 'obvi' and 'betch'?
3. and 4. Ashley Benson and Janel Parrish
Lucy wasn't the only 'Pretty Little Liar' to make a splash on the O.C.! Ashley and Janel guest starred together in the fourth season as two popular, snobby Newport teens; Ashley as the queen bee and Janel as one of her loyal minions. They were attempting to throw an epic, elite party...so of course Kaitlin Cooper had to throw the ultimate rager just to smite them.
5. Bella Thorne
Before she started Shaking It Up on Disney Channel, Bella guest starred on the OC as a young Taylor Townsend. Apparently, she dreamed of being a mermaid.
6. Cam Gigandet
Before Cam stole hearts as evil vampire James in Twilight, he was Volchok, resident bad boy of season 3. Responsible for Marissa's untimely death, it's a relief Bella Swan made it out alive...
Here are some highlights from his reign of terror
7. Jackson Rathbone
Before he was deliciously odd Jasper Hale from Twilight, he was Justin, one of Kaitlin's boarding school friends who crushed on her - HARD. Check out his performance as resident saver of the troubled Ms. Cooper
8. Nikki Reed
Just when you thought there were no more vampires in Newport... last but not least in Twilight success stories is Nikki Reed, who played Sadie Campbell, Ryan's rebound, before she hit the big screen as Rosalie Hale. Here's some scenes with her and Cam together:
*Honorable Mention* just because he was in Twilight, too... Can you spot Justin Chon in this OC prom excerpt?
9. Paul Wesley
Speaking of Vampires... Do you remember Donnie? Or perhaps his famous scene where he accidentally shoots Luke? Well take a second look, Ryan's short lived friendship with fellow tough guy Donnie was played by none other than Paul, one of CW's resident vampire hotties.
10. Chris Pratt
Funny man Chris Pratt is making it big on Parks and Recreation, but before this pivotal role Chris played the infamous wanna-be activist, bunny-stealing snitch Ché in season 4. Check out this scene where a naked Pratt sings to Adam Brody
11. AnnaLynne McCord
Before she was 90210 queen bee, AnnaLynne had a small yet crucial role in season 3, the girl at prom Volchok cheated on Marissa with. Heavy, am i right?
12. Logan Marshall-Green
Before he made a name for himself after starring in Prometheus, the actor played Trey Atwood: the REAL family trouble-maker. Check out his role as season two antagonist summed up in this clip of the finale
13. Emmanuelle Chriqui
Before she made a splash on Entourage and then the Mentalist, Emmanuelle had a brief role on the OC as Alex's ex girlfriend. You can check out some of her scenes under the #14 spot.
14. Olivia Wilde
Arguably one of the biggest stars to have emerged from the depths of the OC, Wilde played the recurring role of Alex, a bisexual bartender who has a brief fling with Seth before falling head over heels for Marissa. Oh, and Emmanuelle Chriqui plays her ex. Check it out:
15. Chris Brown
That's right, before the singer got tatted up and beat up Rhianna, Chris Brown played Will, a band geek and brief love interest for Kaitlin Cooper. Check out a few of his many scenes:
16. Shailene Woodley
Last but not least is Shailene Woodley, Academy Award nominee and star of an extremely successful teen drama. Before the fame and success, however, Shailene was the original Kaitlin Cooper and played the role throughout the first season. Alas, she matured too late and simply couldn't fit the role of rebellious teenage Mini Coop, so she was recast. Check her out in this clip from the pilot:
There you have it, 16 actors who've made it big relative to their humble beginnings on the OC 10 or so years ago. If there's one thing I know about passing time and this classic show, it's that it only gets better with age. Here's to the 10th anniversary, and the prosperous talent that graced the sets through it all!
OH - and here's a bonus clip from Rachel Bilson to help remind you that 10 years later, Summer is still alive and well.
image: tumblr
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