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Martha Phillpotts and Elliot Page | Elliot Page and Dennis Page | Source: Getty Images
Martha Phillpotts and Elliot Page | Elliot Page and Dennis Page | Source: Getty Images

Elliot Page's Parents – Facts about Them & Their Relationship with the Actor

Christell Fatima M. Tudtud
Jun 12, 2023
07:15 A.M.

Elliot Page's parents have always been there for their child, encouraging and nurturing his dreams of becoming an actor. However, this unwavering support had its fair share of challenges.

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Elliot Page grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, under the sheltered upbringing of his parents, who appeared to have more conservative views than the actor, who embraces a progressive outlook on life.

Today, Elliot finds immense pride in identifying as a trans man. However, his journey of transformation encountered obstacles, particularly within the context of his family dynamics.

Elliot Page attends the 2022 LACMA ART+FILM Gala Presented By Gucci at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 5, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Elliot Page attends the 2022 LACMA ART+FILM Gala Presented By Gucci at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 5, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Elliot Page's Parents Divorced When He Was a Baby

For most of their lives, Martha Phillpotts and Dennis Page, Elliot Page's parents, have embraced traditional values as a couple while residing in Nova Scotia.

Elliot was still a baby when his parents divorced and he had no memory of them being together. Despite that, his parents supported his passions for acting and playing soccer.

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The actor's parents reportedly had full-time work: Martha, Elliot's mother, is a minister's daughter and a teacher. Dennis worked as a graphic designer.

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Elliot Page's Parents Struggled with Their Child's Sexuality

Elliot Page's parents and relatives resisted the idea that he might be gay. Elliot's formative years, which included the discovery of his own sexuality, were undermined due to their conservative upbringing.

Growing up, he had no role models to understand what it truly meant to be transgender. In a recent interview, the actor revealed that his mother, when he was young, denied the existence of homosexuality.

Long hair was something Elliot never liked, as he always envisioned himself as a boy. At nine, the acclaimed actor was finally allowed to cut his hair short. He felt like a boy.

Martha Phillpotts and Elliot Page attend the "Hard Candy" Premiere on April 10, 2006, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Martha Phillpotts and Elliot Page attend the "Hard Candy" Premiere on April 10, 2006, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

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According to Elliot's memoir "Page Boy," he asked his mother if he could become a boy someday. However, Martha replied that he couldn't be a boy because he was a girl.

Martha reassured him that he could do anything boys can do, but when Elliot asked his mom to buy him a "boy's toy," she felt uncomfortable and ashamed of his choice. This same feeling reminded him of his teenage years.

Elliot Page and his father Dennis Page at the ICM Cocktails and Dinner Party on January 24, 2005. | Source: Getty Images

Elliot Page and his father Dennis Page at the ICM Cocktails and Dinner Party on January 24, 2005. | Source: Getty Images

At 16 years old, Elliot had shaved his hair for a film role. He visited his late grandmother in Lockeport with his father. Sitting together in the sunroom, his grandmother asked his father how he would react if his child became a lesbian.

Elliot transitioned in 2020 and experienced the "biggest joy" of being himself.

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Elliot Page attends a photocall for "Freeheld" during the 10th Rome Film Fest on October 18, 2015, in Rome, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

Elliot Page attends a photocall for "Freeheld" during the 10th Rome Film Fest on October 18, 2015, in Rome, Italy. | Source: Getty Images

At 19, Elliot revealed to his parents that he was attracted to girls. However, his revelation was not entirely well-received by Martha and Dennis. Elliot's mom resisted Elliot's identity while his father grew distant.

In his memoir, Elliot revealed that he and his estranged father hadn't communicated for over five years. Their strained relationship also came from the fact that his dad supported some public platforms opposite the actor's beliefs.

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Elliot Page's Mother Has a Change of Heart

Between Elliot Page's parents, Martha experienced a change of heart. After years of resisting her child's sexuality, she finally realized her mistake and wholeheartedly embraced Elliot as he is today. Elliot said:

"I think it's really inspiring that she's changed and become such an advocate and ally...It took her time to break out of the ideas she grew up with."

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They have reconciled and rekindled their mother-child relationship. Elliot said his apologetic mother did what she believed was best for him, even if it meant encouraging him to act like a girl.

Elliot transitioned in 2020 and experienced the "biggest joy" of being himself. Throughout his transformative journey, Martha supported him, even when he unveiled a billboard in New York as part of the promotion of his memoir.

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Reflecting on their relationship, Elliot said it is now the "best it's ever been." He mentioned that she had educated herself, and he felt profound relief when his mom witnessed him stepping up and sharing his truth.

Elliot joins the list of celebrities who are proud of their identities, like musicians Kim Petras and Lil Nas X, actress Rebel Wilson, YouTuber Mack Bayda, actor Noah Schnapp, and NBA star Dwyane Wade's daughter Zaya Wade.

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