8 Facts About Ellen Page, the X-Men Star Who Just Came Out As Transgender & is Changing His Name

This is Ellen Page.

You might know her better as Kitty Pryde in X-Men, or her role as Juno McGuff in the iconic movie, Juno.

If you haven’t caught Juno yet, you might want to catch it. It’s a story about a teenage girl who decides to keep her baby despite social pressure and Page reprises her role in the movie perfectly.

Well, more recently, Ellen Page surprises the world yet again, this time by coming out as a transgender.

In his social media platform, he introduced himself as Elliot Page and told others to use “he/they” when they refer to him.

Curious about Elliot Page? Here are 8 facts about the inspiring actress-turn-actor that you need to know.

Child Talent

Page was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1987.

Born to a graphic designer and a teacher, Page was interested in theatre since he was young.

A child star, he was known for his acting in the film and series, Pit Pony, which won him Canada’s prestigious Gemini nomination in 1997 at 10 years old.

Page subsequently went on to act in the television series Trailer Boys Park (2001-2002) and Regenesis (2004).

He also acted in the award-winning film Marion Bridge (2002).

Popular At 18 Years Old

2005, however, proved to be the year for him.

Biography.com noted that indie film Hard Candy was the film that generated a lot of buzz for him.

Doing some simple math, that placed his age at 18 years old.

His spectacular acting as a 14-year-old victim-turn-attacker caught the attention of director Brett Ratner.

Ratner went on to cast Page as Kitty Pryde in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).

Success After Success

As far as film careers go, Page’s journey makes him look like he has the golden touch.

After X-Men: The Last Stand, Page went on to win international acclaim (and fans) in his role as Juno McDuff in Juno.

Again, watch it if you haven’t.

That movie got Page nominated for the Best Actress Award at 20 years old, which he lost to actress Marion Cotillard.

He subsequently went on to act in Smart People (2008) and Whip It (2009) and Inception (2010).

Shortly after completing inception, he also had several voiceover projects including Glenn Martin DDS (2011), Family Guy (2012) and Out There (2013).

He was also the voice for the protagonist, Jodie Holmes, in the game Beyond: Two Souls.

In 2014, Page went on to act in X-Men: Days of Future Past and in 2015, he acted in a film he produced himself, Freeheld, and is, more recently in 2019, acting in Netflix’s original series, The Umbrella Academy.

Sexiest Vegetarian of 2014

According to an interview with TIME, it was revealed that Page went to a Buddhist high school in Halifax.

Page also practices the vegan lifestyle and was named the Sexiest Vegetarian of 2014, together with Academy Award-winning actor Jared Leto by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

In 2013, the sexiest vegetarian of the year was Kristen Bell. There was supposed to be one other winner but he couldn’t get the award he has started eating chicken.

A Supporter of LBGT Rights

Page has long since been an outspoken supporter for the LBGTQ+ community.

On 14 Feb 2014, Page came out as a gay woman in a Human Rights’ Campaign Conference Time To Thrive.

In front of hundreds of attendees, Page gave a heartfelt and personal speech:

“I’m here today because I am gay, and because maybe I can make a difference, to help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility.

“I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.”

Her eight-minute speech was met with standing ovations.

The movie that he helped produce, Freeheld, is based on the love between two women, one of whom is dying, and their efforts to get her police pension given to the other half.

In 2018, Page revealed that he has married Emma Portner, a professional dancer and choreographer.

After coming out, Page described himself as transforming from a tired, almost-dead self to one that is energised and motivated to live life.

Altercation With Brett Ratner

Brett Ratner is an acclaimed director who had directed movies like X-Men, the Rush Hour franchise and The Family Man starring Nicholas Cage.

He was also the one who love Page’s performance in Hard Candy and cast him for the role of Kitty Pryde in X-Men: The Last Stand.

Back in 2017, Page accused Ratner of outing her as “gay” in 2004, 10 years before she went public.

Ratner had told another woman to “f**k her to realise she’s gay” when Page was just 18 years old.

This resulted in Page having to go through years of shame, which is “one of the most destructive results of homophobia”.

Fellow actress, Anna Paquin, stood up for Page when he made the accusation against the renowned director.

I was there when that comment was made. I stand with you .@EllenPage https://t.co/DEIvKDXeEL

— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) November 10, 2017

Ratner wasn’t the only one who mistreated Page in Hollywood and she recalled having her leg fondled during dinner with a director and told she has to “make a move because he can’t”.

She was sixteen then.

She was also told to sleep with a man in his late twenties and to tell them about it.

Coming Out As A Transgender

On 1 Dec 2020, Page wrote on his social media platforms that he is now a transgender and that he is a non-gender, meaning he is neither male nor female.

He did, however, ask that people use the pronoun he/they or him/them when referring to him.

He introduced himself as Elliot Page and was joyful at finally sharing the news but fearful about the backlash.

He thanked his supporters in the LGBTQ+ community and says he’s glad to “finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self”.

“I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer.”

In his post, he also railed against politicians “criminalize trans health care and deny our right to exist” and influential figures who used their positions to “spew hostilities against the trans community”.

“You have blood on your hands. You unleash a fury of vile and demeaning rage that lands on the shoulders of the trans community,”

He also promises to use his position of privilege to help change this word for the better.

You can read his full post below:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @elliotpage

Reactions

So far, his sudden coming out has prompted favourable reactions across Hollywood.

LGBTQ charity GLAAD called Page a “remarkable” and “unspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people”.

The group’s director of transgender media Nick Adams lauds Page as an inspiration to “countless trans and non-binary people”.

“All transgender people deserve the chance to be ourselves and to be accepted for who we are.”

Netflix, which also hires several well-known figures in the LGBTQ+ community for their projects, tweeted: “So proud of our superhero! We love you, Elliot!”

The president of LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign Alphonso David also thanked Page for “sharing your truth with us, and for shining a bright light on the challenges too many in our community face”.

His spouse also expresses her support for his decision to come out as a trans on Instagram.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Emma Portner (@emmaportner)

What’s next? I guess we can only wait. But judging by how outspoken and influential Page has been since young, we’re guessing that things will only improve for the LBGTQ+ community in America (and hopefully in the world) even more from now on.

Featured Image: BAKOUNINE / Shutterstock.com