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.Hot Photos
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
Add your comments
POPEATER HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE
- John Travolta: 'We Know That We Are Loved'
- POLL: What Did You Think of New Moon?
- Playgirl Releases (Waist-Up) Levi Johnston Photos





Comments
(9)Add a comment
Tuesday 20 October
By Just a guy
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
Tuesday 20 October
By The Butcher
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
Tuesday 20 October
By DLM
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.
Tuesday 20 October
By watdafuk
Yea she`s going to be missed.
Reply
Tuesday 20 October
By johnjfoote
Who cares? What a bland washed out little thing. I have seen better at WalMart.
Reply
Tuesday 20 October
By BRENNY
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
Tuesday 20 October
By The Butcher
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.
Tuesday 20 October
By Murty Chitti
testing
Reply
Tuesday 20 October
By MICHAEL K
Great...good bye she sucked anyways
Reply