“Bruciamo tutto” (Let's burn everything) activist is removed by police after she poured red paint on the Spanish Steps to protest against femicides in Rome, Italy, on June 26, 2024. (Photo by Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters)

A woman carries a 'Climate Clock' as activists mark the start of Climate Week in New York during a demonstration calling for the U.S. government to take action on climate change and reject the use of fossil fuels in New York City, New York, U.S., September 17, 2023. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

Performers kiss the Olympic Torch as Julien Segui carries the Olympic Torch at Moulin Rouge during the second day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay on July 15, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

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.

Young Ukrainians dance at nightclub House of Meteorologists, May 23, 2014. Sunday's upcoming election in Ukraine has not only exposed the divide between east and west, but between old and young. Unlike their elders, younger people have no memory of Soviet life, and most see themselves as Ukrainian. (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein/The Washington Post)

Enigmatic Italian forward Mario Balotelli is always good for drama, so Fanny Neguesha is perfect for him. With her racy Instagram shots and wild ways, she might be the one to tame Super Mario’s heart. The couple was engaged to marry this week. (Photo by Splash News/Getty Images/Instagram.com)

“The Only Way Is Essex” star Yazmin Oukhellou, 27, showed off her toned figure in the minidress, which featured sеxy side cut-outs, as she headed out in Hertfordshire in southern Englandon on Saturday, August 14, 2021. (Photo by Splash News and Pictures)

American actress and model Megan Fox stuns in a lace crop top and matching stockings in Manhattan, New York as she strolled to a business meeting on September 12, 2021. (Photo by Rex Features/Shutterstock)