Former ‘O.C.’ Star Files Lawsuit Against Thieving Mother

Growing up as a talented child – although praiseworthy – can cause huge strife in their family lives. Frequently, we hear of stories of how child actors/actresses (or entertainers) are being mistreated by their own parents. Many of the parents serve as their managers, using control and manipulation to force their child to work non-stop hours and on numerous projects. As the financial status increases, we also hear of how parents take advantage of their child’s stardom by managing their income. It is unfortunate that some of these parent-managers steal from their own kids. Sometimes mishandling thousands of dollars, only to leave their own flesh and blood a “star” with nothing to show for it. 

Like “Different Strokes” star Gary Coleman did to his parents, former “The O.C.” star Mischa Barton is suing her mother for stolen money and damaging her Hollywood reputation.

On Tuesday, Barton filed documents in a Los Angeles courtroom accusing her mom, Nuala Barton, of ejecting her from a $7.8 million Beverly Hills home that was purchased with money earned from her days as a child actress.  The lawsuit also claims that Nuala signed off on endorsement deals with a handbag line and a London boutique, without approval from Mischa Barton.

“Nuala did not compensate Barton for the use of her name, image and likeness, nor did she share in any of the profits from these ventures with Barton,” Barton’s attorney Alex Weingarten wrote in the lawsuit. “This is all despite the fact that the businesses were built solely on Barton’s fame and popularity.”

Barton’s mother bought a $7.8 million home in Beverly Hills in 2006 using her daughter’s earnings and gave herself an ownership interest in the property and took out loans against it, the lawsuit states. Mischa Barton is no longer allowed at the home, according to the lawsuit. (AP)

Mischa Barton, now 29-years-old, contends that her mother bullied her while serving as her manager. Barton’s was a fledging teen actress at one point starring in films such as “Notting Hill” and “The Sixth Sense” before transitioning to television.