American singer Demi Lovato unveils her “badass” new wax figure at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas on October 1, 2024. She marveled at the likeness and attention to detail on her tattoos – joking the only thing missing is her new engagement ring. The figure is adorned in the skirt and top from Demi's Alternative Press Magazine photoshoot, with the entire look generously donated by Demi herself. (Photo by Key Lime/Madame Tussauds USA/The Mega Agency)

Photographer Howard Schatz had an idea: place actors in a series of roles and dramatic situations to reveal the essence of their characters. Such was the premise behind his book, In Character: Actors Acting, which captures some of Hollywood’s most emotive stars in the act of, well, making faces. Luckily for us, he continued the tradition for Vanity Fair. Here are some of the best.

Two women pose as they drink real ale at the Great British Beer Festival in the Olympia exhibition centre on August 13, 2013 in London, England. The festival, which runs until August 17, 2013, has over 24 bars serving over 800 different beers, ciders and perries. (Photo by Oli Scarff)

A woman looks out from her stall selling traditional garments and textiles at a market in Ashgabat February 8, 2012. (Photo by Aman Mehinli/Reuters)

Chile's Mary Dee Vargas (L) reacts after defeating Brazil's Larissa Farias compete in their Judo Women's –48 kg Bronze Medal contest during the Lima 2019 Pan-American Games in Lima on August 8, 2019. (Photo by Guadalupe Pardo/Reuters)

Skiers take part in the Skicolor event where they are sprayed with biodegradable color powders as part of carnival celebrations in the alpine resort of La Tzoumaz, Switzerland on February 23, 2020. (Photo by Valentin Flauraud/EPA/EFE/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

A mask seller wearing a mask stands in a street market in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, June 9, 2020. Daily life in capital resuming to normal as Thai government continues to ease restrictions related to running business in capital Bangkok that were imposed weeks ago to combat the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP Photo)

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns the ball to Magda Linette, of Poland, during the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Friday, April 26, 2024. (Photo by Manu Fernandez/AP Photo)