However, as we re-watch our favorite episodes we get pleasantly surprised seeing some of today’s biggest celebrities taking part (even a small one) in the phenomenal TV series. Usually popular shows like The OC offer a great opportunity for many rising stars to stun with talent. Believe it or not, but these actors took part in The OC when no one has ever heard of them or ever thought they would become A-list celebrities one day. While some of the actors guest-starred in one to three episodes, others played supporting role for a whole season.
Shailene Woodley as Kaitlin Cooper (2003)
The Divergent trilogy star was part of the series only for several episodes where she played Marissa's younger sister Kaitlin in season one. Back then, Shailene was only 12 years old. Subsequently, her heroine went to boarding school, therefore Shailene disappeared from the show. Kaitlin returns in season three and four, only this time producers pick another actress to play the character because Shailene didn’t look old enough, so the role goes to Willa Holland.
Morena Baccarin as Maya Griffin
Homeland’s Morenna Baccarin who was Nicholas Brody’s pretty but not so happy wife also guest-starred in The OC. Back in 2006, she made a brief appearance in three episodes playing Maya Griffin, the daughter of Henry Griffin. Her heroine dated the greedy Matt Ramsey who wanted to take full control of the Newport Group. Before Homeland the stunning Brazilian brunette (actually she is half-Brazillian, half-Italian) had a few more high-impact performances in Firefly and V. In 2014 she teams up with The OC's Ben Mckenzie (Ryan Atwood) on the set of Gotham series playing charming Dr. Leslie Thompkins.
Olivia Wilde as Alex Kelly
Did you know that Olivia Wilde was producers' first choice actress to play the character of Marissa? Eventually they decided that Wilde's personality was too tough to play such vulnerable heroine and offer the role to Mischa Barton. Wilde appeared in 13 episodes playing hot blonde bartender Alex who became involved in a lesbian affair with Marissa Cooper. The two made some of the most breathtaking girl-kiss-girl scenes in TV history. Without a doubt, such moments always make a great television. They had a deeply emotional relationship filled with sensitive hugging and dramatic conversations that totally engaged the audience.
Paul Wesley as Donnie
Before the audience know him as the handsome vampire Stefan Salvatore in Vampire's Diaries, he showed his bad-tempered half playing Ryan Atwood's co-worker and friend Donnie in season one’s The Outsiders episode. His characters got into a fight with Marissa’s boyfriend Luke at a party and pointed a gun at him.
Willa Holland as Kaitlin Cooper (2006-2007)
Doe-eyed beauty Willa Holland, who currently plays Thea Queen in CW's Arrow, once was part of The OC team, too. Looking back throughout her career, we see that her first significant performance was in The OC where she starred in 22 episodes (2006-2007) playing Marissa's younger sister Kaitlin Cooper after she came back from the boarding school. Although Willa's filmography seems short so far, she has a few memorable roles apart from The OC and Arrow. She guest-starred in several episodes of Gossip Girl and played in big-screen films Straw Dogs and Tiger Eyes. Recently (on 18 June) she turned 24. It seems she hasn't aged a day since playing Marissa's sister. Isn’t it amazing?
Chris Pratt as Che
Do you remember Summer's Burkley hippie boyfriend Che? Well, the actor who played him is The Jurassic World and The Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt. As Che in The OC, Chris delivered so many hilarious moments we can’t fail to forget. Such strong performance requires true talent, which he definitely has.
Cam Gigandet as Kevin Volchok
Before he make a mark on the silver screen becoming the hot vampire James in Twilight, Cam Gigandet had utterly controversial character in The OC . He played Marissa’s super sexy bad-boy sweetheart, who eventually left her to die in the alley after the car crash.
AnnaLynne McCord
90210 star who also portrayed some interesting anti-heroic TV characters in Dallas and Nip/Tuck, delivered a highly memorable performance in The OC as well. She played a young hot chick who tried to seduce Volchok at a party offering him to get high together.
Amber Heard as a Mall salesgirl
Before she star in high-rated movies like Zombieland, Never back Down, Paranoya and The Rum Diary (after which she officially became Jonnie Depp's love interest), Amber Heard had a few small roles in popular TV shows and The OC is one of them. She appeared in the 2005 episode The Mallpisode where played a haughty salesgirl. Even though it was a small role, she made it to remember.
