With such diverse roles in both the disturbing indie film “Hard Candy” and the more mainstream summer blockbuster “X-Men: The Last Stand,” young actress Ellen Page was set to make a major splash in 2006. The buzz surrounding the young Canadian actress was validated a year later when Page turned in a startling performance in the indie comedy, "Juno," for which she was awarded the actress' breakthrough award by the National Board of Review and nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress.Born on Feb. 21, 1987 and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Page developed an early interest in performing. She attended the Neptune Theater School, performing in a stage version of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in the fifth grade. By age 10, she had landed an agent and soon after snagged her first role as Maggie MacLean in the popular Canadian family television movie, “Pit Pony” (1997), as well as a part in the 1999 spin-off television series of the same name. Just 10 years old, her performance garnered her a Young Artist Award nomination, as well as a Gemini (the Canadian equivalent of an Emmy) nomination.
In 2002, Page continued her busy schedule. She appeared in the Canadian TV series, “Trailer Park Boys,” which received a Gemini nomination for best ensemble cast, and “Rideau Hall,” as well as the Canadian feature films, “Marion Bridge,” and “The Wet Season.” The following year, after appearing in “Touch & Go” and the Canadian TV movie, “Mrs. Ashboro’s Cat,” she made her US television debut on the Lifetime Network’s “Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story.” For her performance as Emily Anderson in the 2004 film, “Wilby Wonderful,” Page won a best actress award at the Atlantic Film Festival. She also appeared as a regular that year in the popular Canadian sci-fi series, “ReGenesis” (2004- ).
Page’s next film brought the young actress her first major American publicity – “Hard Candy” (2006), a provocative film in which she portrayed a strong-willed 14-year-old who is targeted by an internet predator, but who turns the tables, exacting revenge on her would-be attacker. Her searing performance caught the eye of Brett Ratner, the director of “X-Men: The Last Stand,” who called her up to offer her the part of Kitty Pryde, a.k.a. Shadowcat. Reluctant at first, Page accepted the role of the beloved mutant who has the uncanny ability to walk through walls and “phase” through solid objects. The character had appeared briefly in the previous two “X-Men” films, but was played by two different actresses.
Following the “X-Men” publicity juggernaut, Page added a fake tummy to play a sardonic pregnant teen in the indie comedy, "Juno" (2007), one of the year’s most talked about films. Her bright, quirky and funny performance earned Page kudos from many critics and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress, paving the way for a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. She also received her first Academy recognition with an Oscar nod for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.
