Classically trained in theater and Shakespearean acting and born in Hammersmith, London, Barton made her first New York stage appearance in Tony Kushner’s "Slavs" when she was nine years old. Film roles include The Sixth Sense, Notting Hill and Lost and Delirious, and she was a soap actress on All My Children. The O.C. catapulted the young talent to fame and Barton assumed the role that made her famous until the show's third season, in which her character was killed off from the series. Barton is currently a spokesperson for Keds footwear. In February 2008, online reports speculated that Barton was approached to join the cast of Gossip Girl as a pal of Blake Lively's character, Serena, but Barton's rep confirmed that she will not be appearing on the series.