Spain celebrates winning the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Final match between Spain and England on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

A protester throws a stone while clashing with Mozambican riot police in Maputo on November 27, 2024. Fresh anti-government protests erupted in Mozambique on November 27, 2024 after a police vehicle mowed down a woman at a demonstration in the capital for the opposition leader disputing October elections in a deadly weeks-long standoff AFP reporters at the scene said protestors hurled stones at security forces who fired bullets and tear gas as clashes broke out after the woman was struck while standing behind a large banner of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane. (Photo by Alfredo Zuniga/AFP Photo)

Model Rachel Pizzolato poses with a dog during the “The Pet Gala” at GH on the Park in New York City on May 19, 2025. The Pet Gala by Anthony Rubio designs recreates outfits from the Met Gala for pets. (Photo by Timothy A. Clary/AFP Photo)

Karis, an 8 week old lion cub, growls at a pumpkin as she explores a Halloween treat put in her enclosure by staff at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling, Scotland, Tuesday, October 29, 2013. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/AP Photo/PA Wire)

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 rugby fan adjusts his latex mask at the rugby sevens tournament in Hong Kong on March 29, 2014. (Photo by Philippe Lopez/AFP Photo)

A Viet Cong suspect holds his hands up after a Vietnamese Ranger from the 21st Vietnam Infantry Division routed him from his hiding place. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 7th November 1967

A member of the German wireless police picks up signals on the radio equipment he carries on his back, while his colleague takes notes. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images). Circa 1925