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.

Trick rider Kendel Sampson performs during the trick riding session of the RAM Rodeo in Warkworth, Ontario, on August 1, 2013. The teenage Encore Presentation Trick Riders perform daring stunts every rodeo season in towns throughout Canada. (Photo by Norm Betts/Barcroft Media)

A mother bear takes a dip in the water to cool off in the warm summer sun but refuses to leave her three youngsters behind – so they climb aboard her back. (Photo by Jon Langeland/Solent News & Photo Agency)

People wade through a flooded path near Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers after the water level of river Ganges and river Yamuna rose, in Allahabad on October 14, 2022. (Photo by Sanjay Kanojia/AFP Photo)

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is greeted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a welcome ceremony on day one of the 50th G7 summit at Borgo Egnazia on June 13, 2024 in Fasano, Italy. The G7 summit in Puglia, hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the seventh held in Italy, gathers leaders from the seven member states, the EU Council, and the EU Commission. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Festival goers blow soap-bubbles at the 28th Sziget (Island) Festival on Shipyard Island, Northern Budapest, Hungary, 15 August 2022. The festival is one of the biggest cultural events of Europe offering art exhibitions, theatrical and circus performances and above all music concerts. (Photo by Marton Monus/EPA/EFE)

“House of the Dragon” star, English actress Olivia Cooke shows off her curves in a new advertising campaign for Rihanna's lingerie firm “Savage Fenty” early October 2022. The British beauty – who took over the role of Alicent Hightower when the medieval epic did a time jump – has become a brand ambassador for the saucy underwear firm. (Photo by Savage Fenty)

American actress and model Megan Fox nearly busts out of red silk bra as she celebrates 35th birthday with boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly in Santa Monica, California on May 15, 2021. (Photo by Splash News and Pictures)