Dieter Schmitz, originally Dieter Schmitz, gained prominence as himself on MTV's "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" (2004-2006) during its first two seasons. Born in Laguna Beach, California, USA, he has also ventured into acting, with roles in "The Champagne Gang" (2006), "Aces" (2006), and "Cleats of Imminent Doom" (2005). Since August 27, 2016, he has been married to Isabell Hiebl.
"Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County"
"Laguna Beach" wasn't just a television series; it defined a generation of pop culture and paved the way for the reality genre as we know it. The original “Laguna Beach” ran for just three seasons on MTV from 2004 to 2006.
The show followed the lives of several high school students in Laguna Beach, chronicling their relationships, friendships, and social lives. Dieter was one of the prominent figures in the series, known for his involvement in the social dynamics of the group.
Christina Sinclair (née Schuller) recalled to Time in 2014, "We're sitting there in class, and over the daily announcements they announce, 'Okay everyone, MTV's here. They're going to cast a reality show on Laguna Beach. If you're interested, sign up in the quad at break,'" "And I think for any 18-year-old, that's a dream come true. It's like Grease-when they say they're going to film their prom and it's going to be on national television. Months later, on Sept.
Acting Career
Beyond his reality TV stint, Dieter Schmitz has also pursued acting roles. He is known for "The Champagne Gang" (2006), "Aces" (2006) and "Cleats of Imminent Doom" (2005).
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Personal Life
Dieter Schmitz married Isabell Hiebl on August 27, 2016.
"Laguna Beach" Cast Members: Where Are They Now?
The cast of "Laguna Beach" has moved on to various ventures since the show ended. Here's a glimpse into what some of them are doing now:
Lauren Conrad: After her time on "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills," Lauren Conrad has become a successful businesswoman and author. She is the co-founder of The Little Market, a New York Times best-selling author, and fashion designer with her Kohl's Line LC Lauren Conrad. She married William Tell in 2014 and has two sons, Liam James Tell and Charlie Wolf Tell.
Kristin Cavallari: Known for her role as the "bad girl" on "Laguna Beach," Kristin Cavallari has transformed into a successful entrepreneur. She founded the lifestyle brand Uncommon James, which has multiple brick-and-mortar locations. She also has a Chinese Laundry shoe line and has authored three cookbooks. She was previously married to Jay Cutler, with whom she has three children: Camden Jack Cutler, Jaxon Wyatt Cutler, and Saylor James Cutler.
Jason Wahler: Jason Wahler, who struggled with addiction during and after his time on "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills," has since turned his life around. After appearing on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew Pinsky," he became sober and married Ashley Slack. He is the founder and owner of Widespread Recovery and has been open about his struggles on "The Hills: New Beginnings" and his YouTube series, JAWS Diaries with Jason & Ashley Wahler.
Stephen Colletti: After "Laguna Beach," Stephen Colletti pursued an acting career. He was a recurring cast member on "One Tree Hill" and starred in Taylor Swift's "White Horse" music video. He also hosted MTV's "Total Request Live."
Lo Bosworth: Lo Bosworth has transitioned into the wellness industry. She founded Love Wellness, a line of personal care products for women. She married Domenic "Dom" Natale in 2025 and is expecting their first child in 2026.
Talan Torriero: Talan Torriero married Danielle Torriero in 2014 and has three children: Bronson, Hudson, and Anderson Tito. They live in Nebraska, where they are building their dream home.
Trey Phillips: Trey Phillips pursued a career in fashion after graduating from Parsons School of Design. He worked as an associate designer at Vera Wang and founded Motion Illustrated in 2023.
Alex Murrel: Alex Murrel married Kyle Johnson in 2014 and has three sons: Levi, Kase, and Rome. She co-founded MOX Agency, a social media marketing business, in 2014.
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Morgan Olsen: Morgan Olsen married Joel Smith in 2008 and launched a successful swimwear brand, Minnow Swim. She also opened Casey's Cupcakes in Orange County and won Food Network's Cupcake Wars in 2011.
Taylor Cole: Taylor Cole married Kevin Simshauser in 2015 and has three children: Tatum, Cole, and Olson.
The Enduring Appeal of Laguna Beach
The cast of "Laguna Beach" recently reunited for "Roku Presents: The Laguna Beach Reunion," executive produced by Liz Gateley, Lauren Conrad, Stephen Colletti, and Kristin Cavallari.
The reunion allowed the cast to reflect on their experiences on the show and catch up on each other's lives. It also provided fans with a nostalgic look back at the series that defined a generation.
Laguna Beach Arts Community
Laguna Beach is known for its vibrant arts community. The city hosts several art festivals and events throughout the year, including the Sawdust Art Festival and the First Thursdays Art Walk.
The Sawdust Art Festival features artwork from Laguna Beach and around the country. The Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Art Festival features 170 artists selling their original artwork directly to the public. The festival also offers free admission to Southern California active duty firefighters and residents who were under mandatory evacuation due to the fires in October or November.
The First Thursdays Art Walk is held on the first Thursday of each month and features paintings by select senior students exhibited in 19 Laguna Beach galleries who have volunteered their time and talent to mentor an LCAD student.
Several galleries in Laguna Beach also showcase the work of local and international artists such as Endangered Planet Gallery, which showcases art with environmental and sustainability themes.
Laguna Beach artist Mitch Ridder was recently honored with a California Watercolor Assn. Signature Membership for his recent painting, “Dublin Door.”
David W. Dieter
In 2006 - 07, San Francisco emerging artist, David W. Dieter, traveled the world to explore the concept of 'Return to Pangaea' - the human race unifying together faster due to technology, migration and the cross-pollination of cultures. His recent paintings utilize dance as a metaphor to illustrate 'Pangaea Swing'. He is influenced by the human form in classical and contemporary dance and its relationship to its environment. He draws inspiration from local and international dancers in their natural and unnatural settings. David's art is mixed media utilizing acrylics, paper, pastels, wood and collage in his paintings while exploring form, movement, emotion and the relationship of dancers to each other and the world around them. He combines traditional dance with new forms creating a hybrid style. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. He has displayed his art globally in Italy, Thailand, the USA and China. He attended UCLA, UC Irvine and Art Center College of Design and holds 2 degrees in Fine Art and Art History.