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9 'The O.C.' stars who have also played Marvel or DC characters

9 'The O.C.' stars who have also played Marvel or DC characters

Olivia Singh

Ben McKenzie and Adam Brody went from staring on "The O.C" to playing DC comics characters.The CW

There are a few stars from the drama series "The O.C." who have also played Marvel or DC characters.
Ben McKenzie, who starred as Ryan Atwood, portrayed James Gordon on the Fox series "Gotham."

After starring as bad boy Ryan Atwood on "The O.C." Ben McKenzie headed to Gotham City as James Gordon on Fox's "Gotham."

On the left: Ben McKenzie as Ryan Atwood on season four of "The O.C." On the right: McKenzie as James Gordon on season four of "Gotham." The CW; FOX Image Collection via Getty Images

The show lasted for five seasons between 2014 and 2019 and centered on McKenzie's detective character taking down criminals in Gotham.

Adam Brody went from playing comic-book-obsessed Seth Cohen on "The O.C." to starring as a superhero in the "Shazam!" movies.

On the left: Adam Brody as Seth Cohen on season four of "The O.C." On the right: Brody as the adult version of Freddy Freeman in "Shazam!" The CW; Warner Bros.

Brody made his debut as the older, superhero version of Freddy Freeman (played by Jack Dylan Grazer" with the ability to fly in the 2019 DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film "Shazam!"

He'll reprise the role for a sequel titled "Shazam! Fury of the Gods," in theaters on March 17, 2023.

Peter Gallagher, who played a public defender named Sandy Cohen on "The O.C." also had a role on Fox and Marvel's show "The Gifted."

On the left: Peter Gallagher as Sandy Cohen on season four of "The O.C." On the right Gallagher as Benedict Ryan on season two of "The Gifted." The CW; Fox

Gallagher appeared as a TV-news host named Benedict Ryan on season two of "The Gifted," a show centered on mutants.

Long before portraying Thea Queen/Speedy in The CW's Arrowverse, Willa Holland played Kaitlin Cooper, the younger sister of Marissa Cooper, on "The O.C."

On the left: Willa Holland as Kaitlin Cooper on season four of "The O.C." On the right: Holland as Thea Queen/Speedy on season three of "Arrow." The CW; The CW

"Arrow" lasted for eight seasons on The CW, starring Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, Thea's older brother and the green-hooded archer.

Chris Pratt had a recurring role as a college kid named Ché on the fourth and final season of "The O.C" long before he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Peter Quill/Star-Lord.

On the left: Chris Pratt as Ché on season four of "The O.C." On the right: Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord in "Thor: Love and Thunder." The CW; Marvel Studios

Ché met Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson) while attending Brown University together. Pratt's first appearance on the show was on the season four premiere, coincidentally titled "The Avengers" and released in 2006.

He made his Marvel debut in "Guardians of the Galaxy," which hit theaters in 2014.

Olivia Wilde, who had a recurring role as Alex Kelly on season two of "The O.C.," voiced Lois Lane in the 2022 animated film "DC League of Super-Pets."

On the left: Olivia Wilde as Alex on season two of "The O.C." On the right: Lois Lane in "DC League of Super-Pets." The CW; Warner Bros.

Wilde's character worked at The Bait Shop and had romantic relationships with Seth Cohen and Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton).

Michael Cassidy, who appeared as Zach Stevens on "The O.C." had roles on the Superman origin show "Smallville" and the 2016 movie "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."

From left: Michael Cassidy on "The O.C." "Smallville," and "Batman v Superman." The CW; The CW; Warner Bros.

He played Daily Planet editor Grant Gabriel on season seven of "Smallville," which starred Tom Welling as Clark Kent/Superman.

Years later, Cassidy had a quick appearance as Jimmy Olsen, a photographer and undercover CIA agent, in Zach Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."

Melinda Clarke, who played Marissa and Kaitlin's mom named Julie Cooper on "The O.C." appeared as Grace Van Dahl on three episodes of "Gotham."

On the left: Melinda Clarke on "The O.C." On the right: Clarke on "Gotham." The CW; Fox

Despite being on the same show as McKenzie years after "The O.C." Clarke and the actor didn't have any scenes together on "Gotham."

Alan Dale starred as Caleb Nichol on "The O.C." and played councilman Rockwell in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."

On the left: Alan Dale on "The O.C." On the right: Dale in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." The CW; Marvel Studios

Dale's character in the 2014 Marvel movie was part of the World Security Council.