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.

A competitor wearing a onesie with Brussels sprouts battles gale force winds during the Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships on the storm barrier Oosterscheldekering near Neeltje Jans, south-western Netherlands, Sunday, February 9, 2020. (Photo by Peter Dejong/AP Photo)

Sean Tschigerl #19 of the Calgary Hitmen, Tyson Galloway #22 of the Calgary Hitmen and David Adaszynski #17 of the Calgary Hitmen jump into the stuffed toys after a goal in the first period on the Prince Albert Raiders during the annual Teddy Bear Toss at the Scotiabank Saddledome on December 03, 2023 in Calgary, Alberta. (Photo by Leah Hennel/Getty Images)

This undated image provided by World View shows World View capsule and balloon spacecraft that will rise to 100,000 feet above Earth for passengers to see the curvature of the planet and the blackness of space. Space tourism companies are employing designs including winged vehicles, vertical rockets with capsules and high-altitude balloons. While developers envision ultimately taking people to orbiting habitats, the moon or beyond, the immediate future involves short flights into or near the lowest reaches of space without going into orbit. (Photo by World View via AP Photo)

Bella Hadid attends the fittings for the Victoria Secret Fashion Show 2017 on August 28, 2017 in New York City, USA. (Photo by MediaPunch/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Rev. Yeon Ah Lee Moon of the Sanctuary Church holds a gold AR-15 during a ceremony to rededicate marriages at the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary in Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, USA, 28 February 2018. The church, a breakaway from the Unification Church, believes guns are a symbol of the “rod of iron” referenced in the Book of Revelations. (Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/EFE)

People wearing mushroom hats stand in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 14, 2021. (Photo by Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Revelers perform during the Myths and Legends parade in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia on December 8, 2021. (Photo by Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP Photo)