(L-R) Russian actor Semyon Serzin, Russian actor Yuriy Borisov, Russian actress Yuliya Peresild, Russian actor Yuri Kolokolnikov, Russian actor Ivan Dorn and Russian actress Chulpan Khamatova jump as they arrive for the screening of the film “Petrov's Flu” at the 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on July 12, 2021. (Photo by Johanna Geron/Reuters)

(L-R) American actress Joey King, English actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson and American actor Brian Tyree Henry attend the “Bullet Train” Photocall at The Corinthia Hotel on July 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Hao Han (8), Shaolin kung fu student and child actor. Shaolin Monastery, Henan. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo wishes her famous bestie, actor Iris Apatow, a happy birthday on October 12, 2021. (Photo by Instagram)

Actors perform during the ice sculptures festival “Ice Moscow” in Moscow, Russia, 06 January 2025. (Photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA/EFE)

Actors perform the living Nativity biblical scenes in Postojna cave in Postojna, Slovenia, December 22, 2015. (Photo by Srdjan Zivulovic/Reuters)

Actors and figurants participate in the staging of the Live Stations of the Cross and Procession of the Dead Lord during the celebration of the easter in the Medieval Village of Ourem, Portugal, 15 April 2022. The Live Stations of the Cross is dramatized by about 100 actors and extras from the local community, besides the requalification of the Castle and Palace of the Counts of Ourem that will provide a new setting, a new protagonist will embody Jesus Christ along the 14 stations of the Stations of the Cross. (Photo by Paulo Cunha/EPA/EFE)

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.