There are some actors and actresses who simply embody the early 2000s, and Adam Brody is most certainly one of them. While it remains true that one of his most significant roles was that of Seth Cohen on The O.C., he was bringing memorable parts to life even before that! Here, take a look at the life and career of Adam Brody, and some of the movies and TV shows he made iconic.

Adam Brody in the early 2000s

The California native, who grew up surfing out on the Pacific as often as he could, headed to Hollywood still a teenager in the hopes of becoming an actor. His first major role was in the 2000 television movie Growing Up Brady, and roles continued to come his way.

At the start of the decade, he could be seen in series like The Amanda Show, City Guys, Judging Amy, Go Fish and Once and Again before landing the part of Dave Rygalski on the hit series Gilmore Girls.

Adam Brody, 2003
Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
Though not a major player in the Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel led series, Brody expertly brought to life the sensitive, nerdy, music obsessed Dave, which showcased his skills as a leading man. Before long, he was bringing to life Seth Cohen in his breakout role on The O.C.

Adam Brody in The O.C.

Brody’s character of Seth Cohen was the blueprint for all of the nerdy, sarcastic and charming sidekicks to the male lead that would come after him.

“I recently watched The OC for the first time in 20 years, I watched five episodes and I really enjoyed it,” he told British GQ in 2023. “I enjoyed it in a way I hadn’t in forever because now all of a sudden I’m looking at it and it’s 20 years old.”

He continued, “I’m looking at it with a completely different lens and I’m seeing the person I used to be, I’m seeing this life we used to live lead in this world that used to exist. It’s like looking through a high school yearbook and all the nostalgia that comes with it that wasn’t there, you know, even probably five years ago, let alone 10.”

Rachel Bilson, Adam Brody, Mischa Barton and Benjamin McKenzie, 2003
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Who is Adam Brody married to?

Fittingly, Brody is one half of an early 2000s power couple — his wife is none other than Leighton Meester, known for her portrayal of Blair Waldorf in another early-2000s masterpiece, Gossip Girl.

The couple began dating in 2013, marrying in 2014. Since those early days as a couple, they have welcomed two children.

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, 2019
Morgan Lieberman/FilmMagic/Getty Images

What is Adam Brody doing now?

In the years since The O.C., Brody has most certainly kept busy. His most notable works in the years after the series included In the Land of Women (2007), Jennifer’s Body (2009), The Oranges (2011) and plenty more.

In recent years, he could be seen in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) and Promising Young Woman (2020), to name a few of his more notable credits.

On September 26, Brody will star alongside Kristen Bell in the Netflix series Nobody Wants This as a rabbi who forms an unlikely relationship with an outspoken agnostic woman.