Ellen Page Biography

Canadian actress Ellen Page made her first big splash in 2005 with a critically revered role in Hard Candy. And it’s only looked up from there. Just two years later, Page earned an Oscar nominated for her work in Juno, for which she is arguably best known.

Ellen Philpotts Page was born February 21, 1987 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her parents are Martha Philpotts and Dennis Page, a teacher and graphic designer respectively. She obtained her initial education from Halifax Grammar School before transitioning to Queen Elizabeth High School as well as Vaughan Road Academy. She eventually graduated from Shambhala School in 2005.

Knowing she was drawn to acting from an early age, Page made her onscreen debut in 1997 with Pit Pony opposite Ben Rose Davis and Jennie Raymond. She later reprised her role from 1999 to 2000 for the Pit Pony television series.

And it wasn’t long before Page had another recurring role. In 2001, she played Treena Lahey in the comedy series Trailer Park Boys. She appeared beside series regulars Cory Bowles and George Green.

Page next turned her attention to film. To that end, she played small roles in a number of Canadian films and shorts. She also had another notable turn with the television series ReGenesis as Lilith Sandstorm.

But it was 2005 that offered her the chance to really showcase her acting abilities. She was cast in the drama thriller Hard Candy opposite Patrick Wilson and Sandra Oh. Dealing with extremely sensitive and difficult material to handle, Page was showered with critical praise for her unflinching and haunting performance.

The following year, Page had her commercial breakout when she was cast as Kitty Pryde in X-Men: The Last Stand. One of an all-star cast, Page shared the screen with Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer, and others.

Establishing herself as the newest up and comer, Page played another difficult role in the murder drama An American Crime with Catherine Keener and James Franco. She also earned recognition for her role as the title character in The Tracey Fragments.

But it was her role in 2007’s romantic comedy Juno that made her a star. Playing the lead opposite Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, and JK Simmons, it was Page that walked away with an Oscar nomination. Although many hailed Page’s performance as the best of the year, she was ultimately beaten out by Marion Cotillard’s portrayal of Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose.

Continuing to take successful and well-received parts, Page followed with a role opposite Ellen Burstyn in The Stone Angel.

Most recently, she played Vanessa Wetherhold in 2008’s Smart People. Costars included Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Thomas Haden Church.

In her personal life, Page and fellow actor Ben Foster are rumored to be dating.

She currently lives in her hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia.