When 'The Beautiful Life' was abruptly canceled, actress Mischa Barton had an epiphany, per se. In a new interview with PEOPLE, Barton admits she is giving up TV roles for a while. "I think I need to back away from the whole TV approach. That whole world of network television, probably isn't, for me, a good idea now. I need to start reading for more serious roles," she said.Mischa Barton: I'm Done With TV Roles
When 'The Beautiful Life' was abruptly canceled, actress Mischa Barton had an epiphany, per se. In a new interview with PEOPLE, Barton admits she is giving up TV roles for a while. "I think I need to back away from the whole TV approach. That whole world of network television, probably isn't, for me, a good idea now. I need to start reading for more serious roles," she said.As she sifts through movie roles, Barton is "passing on all the [early] offers, because that's not the stuff you want to do. I want to go fight for interesting things and look for something that's going to be interesting for me... as a role."
In August, Barton was placed under psychiatric hold for a month and later claimed her hospitalization was due to her hectic schedule and "terrible" wisdom tooth surgery. "I was down in the dumps about everything there for a while. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom and get the most stressed out just to feel better again. I got completely stressed out and couldn't handle everything, and now I feel really in control," Barton revealed.
For now, Barton is calling her break from work "lovely" and trying to focus on her body. "Now that I'm not doing the TV show, I've got lots of time to work out," she said.
Mischa Barton Snapshots
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Donatella Versace and actress Mischa Barton attend the 2009 Whitney Museum Gala Studio Party at The Whitney Museum of American Art on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mischa Barton;Donatella Versace
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Donatella Versace and actress Mischa Barton attend the 2009 Whitney Museum Gala Studio Party at The Whitney Museum of American Art on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mischa Barton;Donatella Versace
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Donatella Versace and actress Mischa Barton attend the 2009 Whitney Museum Gala Studio Party at The Whitney Museum of American Art on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mischa Barton;Donatella Versace
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Donatella Versace and actress Mischa Barton attend the 2009 Whitney Museum Gala Studio Party at The Whitney Museum of American Art on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mischa Barton;Donatella Versace
Getty Images
Actress Mischa Barton attends the 2009 Whitney Museum of American Art gala and studio party, Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
AP
Actress Mischa Barton attends the 2009 Whitney Museum of American Art gala and studio party, Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
AP
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: (L-R) Actress Mischa Barton and Lauren Davis attend the 2009 Whitney Museum Gala at The Whitney Museum of American Art on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mischa Barton
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Actress Mischa Barton attends the 2009 Whitney Museum Gala at The Whitney Museum of American Art on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mischa Barton
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Actress Mischa Barton attends the 2009 Whitney Museum Gala at The Whitney Museum of American Art on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mischa Barton
Getty Images
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Actress Mischa Barton attends the 2009 Whitney Museum Gala at The Whitney Museum of American Art on October 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mischa Barton
Getty Images
- Filed under:
- Celebrity Weight -
- Gut Reactions -
- Movie News -
- TV News
-
Jennifer Aniston
Is it Brad(ley) and Jen take 2? Jen was spotted out on the town with dreamboat ...
-
Paris Hilton
After Fairly Legal actress, Sarah Shahi, laid into Paris via Twitter for almost...
-
Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton is officially a princess. She walked the aisle in an Alexander...
-
Denise Richards
According to Denise, she's not sure that her estranged ex is completely sober....
Popeater Hot Topics
- The Grammys pay tribute to the late singing legend Whitney Houston
- Grammy Red Carpet: So hot, and so not
- Grammy Awards including 'respectful musical tribute' to the late Whitney Houston
- Berlin 2012: Film Festival Actors Roundtable
- Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis Continue Red-Carpet Style Streak at BAFTA Awards
- Grammy Fashion: Adele Slims Down in Giorgio Armani Couture (Poll)
- Nicki Minaj and the pope walk onto a red carpet?
- ?Saturday Night Live' recap: A nervous Zooey Deschanel and welcome surprises from Jean Dujardin and Nicolas Cage. Plus, a quiet tribute to Whitney Houston.
- Zooey Deschanel hosts tonight's ?Saturday Night Live': Talk about it here!
- Brandi Glanville Claims She Hooked Up With Gerard Butler
- Charlie Sheen Talks Ladies – Onscreen & Off
- Jonah Hill ‘Overwhelmed’ By ‘Moneyball’ Supporting Actor Nomination
- BAFTA Winners 2012: 'The Artist,' Meryl Streep, Octavia Spencer, Christopher Plummer Take Awards
- Whitney Houston Interview: Talks 'Sparkle,' Aaliyah's Death And More In One Of Her Final Interviews
- BAFTA Awards 2012 Red Carpet: Michelle Williams, Viola Davis Meryl Streep And More (PHOTOS)
POPEATER HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE
Sites We Love

- Grammys 2012: Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean power through audio troubles
- Rihanna and Coldplay at Grammy Awards 2012: What did you think of 'Princess of China'?
- Chris Brown's Grammy return: What did you think?
- More From Zap2It

- The Grammys pay tribute to the late singing legend Whitney Houston
- Grammy Red Carpet: So hot, and so not
- More From Foxnews.com

- LL Cool J Opens The Grammys With A Prayer For Whitney Houston
- The Cutest Couple At The Grammys
- 10 Pictures Of Adele Looking Flawless At The Grammys
- More From Buzzfeed

- Nicki Minaj And Her Pope Win Grammy For Craziest Entrance
- Bobbi Kristina Brown, Daughter Of Whitney Houston And Bobby Brown, Rushed To The Hospital
- Bobby Brown, Mariah Carey, Clive Davis Mourn Whitney Houston Onstage And Online
- More From The Fab Life
Whitney Houston Dead: Singer Dies at 48, Body Found in Beverly Hilton Hotel
Whitney Houston Dead: Stars React to Legend's Sudden Death
Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina: Late Singer's Daughter Hospitalized
Tips for flying cheaper in 2012
Grammy Red Carpet 2012 (PHOTOS)
Whitney Houston Autopsy: Cause of Death Determined?
There's only one thing to do when the Nürburgring is covered in snow...
Can You Guess This Famous Face?
Tax Reform in This Election Year: It's Not Likely
Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown: Ex-Husband Honors Singer Onstage

Add a comment
STOP THE PRESSES !!
OH NO SAY IT ISN'T SO MISCHA...YOU'RE LEAVING THE BOOB TUBE TO GRACE US WITH YOUR SCINTILLATING ACTING CHOPS FOR THE BIG SCREEN?
WHAT, PRAY TELL, JUICY ROLE AWAITS US AS YOU SIFT THRU YOUR COUNTLESS OSCAR WINNING SCRIPTS IN YOUR DENTIST CHAIR OR THERAPIST'S COUCH...SAME DIFF.
MB....WHEN YOU MAKE A PROCLAMATION ABOUT LEAVING A JOB THAT NO ONE CARED YOU WERE IN IN THE FIRST PLACE YOU JUST LEAVE YOURSELF OPEN FOR THIS TYPE OF RESPONSE:
DO SOMETHING FIRST BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING TO THE WORLD THAT YOU'RE LEAVING.
PREFERABLY....ACT
ACTORS...SOOO ONE DIMENSIONAL.
Reply
You are funny. This clown can't act & who really cares what she does? The O.C., wow now there's more great TV....goodbye
You said it all 'just a guy'. What big time offers has she been receiving that she could afford to turn down? TV is usually the starting point to get back on your feet for a BIG movie role. Perhaps, she can convince the producers of Dancing With The Stars to give her a chance, lol,lol 'No' acting required there! Or perhaps MB should just stay in London and study acting. Canceled after 2 shows, MB check your large EGO at the door.
Who cares? What a bland washed out little thing. I have seen better at WalMart.
Reply
O M G ...ARE YOU KIDDING. MISCHA, YOU REALLY NEED TO LEARN HOW TO ACT BEFORE YOU DECIDE ON ANY FUTER ROLES. BUT THANK GOD YOUR DONE WITH TV ROLES. NOW I DONT HAVE TO SEE YOU MESS-UP ANY NEW SHOWS. I ACTUALLY STOPPED WATCHING THE "OC" BECAUSE OF YOUR BAD ACTING. BEST THING EVER HAPPENED IS WHEN THEY KILLED YOU OFF.
Reply
WOW, I always thought the OC sucked, maybe it was just her. And she is so shanky to try & play a sexy role. My vomit pail overflows.
testing
Reply