Without Julie Cooper, The O.C. would have been a lot less scandalous — and a lot less entertaining. Every series needs a villainous, manipulative, exploitative cast member, but it’s just too bad that Julie (Melinda Clarke) also happens to be the mother of two impressionable and damaged young girls. Her eldest, Marissa (Mischa Barton) has a front-row seat to her mom’s antics, which include sleeping with her daughter’s ex-boyfriend (what soap opera would be complete without that classic scandal?) and gold-digging her way into a very wealthy and devious local billionaire’s life. With a mom like this, it’s no wonder Marissa turns out to be a spoiled, rebellious, boozing, drug-overdosing and shoplifting teen.