The Arabian mare “Jenny” curiously sniffs at the child of Raphael Wöllstein, who is on his way to the train, on her daily walk through the Fechenheim district of Frankfurt, Germany on March 8, 2019. Her owner opens the stable door for the 22-year-old horse every morning. Then the animal can decide for itself where it wants to spend the day. So that nobody thinks she's escaped, a sign with the inscription “My name is Jenny, didn't run away, just go for a walk” is on the halter. (Photo by Boris Roessler/dpa)

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.

In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Slovakia's Emma Zapletalová competes in the women's 400-meter hurdle race during the Bislett Games athletics meeting at Bislett Stadium in Oslo, Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Photo by Fredrik Varfjell/NTB via AP Photo)

Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers dunks against Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in Game Six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Members of the police forces of the Republic of Srpska march during a parade marking the 32nd anniversary of the Republic of Srpska, in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, 240 kms northwest of Sarajevo, Tuesday, January 9, 2024. The United States on Tuesday warned that ongoing celebrations of a Bosnian Serb self-proclaimed national holiday were in violation of Bosnia's constitution and a 1995 peace agreement, and as such amounted to a criminal offense. The Jan. 9 holiday commemorates the date in 1992 when Bosnian Serbs declared the creation of their own state in Bosnia, igniting the country's devastating four-year war that killed more than 100,000 people. (Photo by Radivoje Pavicic/AP Photo)

The UK reality TV mum Binky Felted out and about in London, England on November 7, 2017. Binky looked amazing in a black blazer, (Photo by Flynet Pictures)

A Thai drug user mixes the popular cheap narcotic drink as it is cooked over a fire on September 1, 2011 in Narwathiwat, southern Thailand. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

English singer-songwriter Dua Lipa early November 2022 shares “miscellaneous” photos from Japan. (Photo by dualipa/Instagram)