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 view of a large poster depicting Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny behind bars with a dove freeing him from detention, by an unidentified street artist known as Harry Greb, in downtown Rome, Italy, 25 January 2021. Navalny was detained after his arrival to Moscow from Germany on 17 January 2021. A Moscow judge on 18 January ruled that he will remain in custody for 30 days following his airport arrest. Navalny urged Russians to take to the streets to protest against President Putin's rule. (Photo by Fabio Frustaci/EPA/EFE)

American media personality Kim Kardashian and her mom Kris Jenner have debuted totally different looks in a new photoshoot in the last decade of June 2025. Kim, 44, shows off her curves for the pictures, which reveal her new Skims collaboration with Italian fashion brand Roberto Cavalli. (Photo by Instagram)

American media personality and socialite Kourtney Kardashian was in the middle of shooting her Hulu show, The Kardashians in the first decade of February 2022. (Photo by Kourtney Kardashian/Instagram)

American actress, model, and singer Ashley Benson arrives at Paris Hilton's wedding party inBeverly Hills, CA. on November 14, 2021. (Photo by Backgrid USA)

Madeline is the first person with Down's syndrome to ever stride down a runway as a model during New York Fashion Week. Here: Model Madeline Stuart stands backstage between two male models at New York Fashion Week in New York City, U.S., September 6, 2018. (Photo by Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

English singer Rita Ora looked like she was sitting on a gold mine as she reclined in towering, metallic shoes and an open gown during a photoshoot in Los Angeles on August 5, 2021. (Photo by Instagram)