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.

July 23, 2013 – Kampala, Uganda. Helene and Diana train daily more than 2.5 hours by Innocent Kapalata, a passionate and ambitious former boxer. Amidst the shanty homes a group of ambitious fighters are trying to reach for a better life. (Photo by Peter Bauza/ZUMA Press/VISUAL Press)

Swedish model Kelly Gale shows off stunning figure in animal print swimsuit in the second decade of April 2022. The catwalk star, 26, posed in a beachwear shoot for Victoria’s Secret Swim. (Photo by Victoria's Secret Capture Media Agency)

“Shortly after he arrived, Van Agtmael witnessed the aftermath of this suicide bombing at a cafe that soldiers frequented in Mosul. Nine people died and 23 were wounded”. (Photo and caption by Van Agtmael/Harrison Jacobs/Magnum Photos)

A picture shows the blood stained floor of a kindergarten following reported shelling in the rebel-held area of Harasta, on the northeastern outskirts of the capital Damascus, on November 6, 2016. At least four children were killed and 19 people injured in the government strike in Harasta, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP Photo)

American media personality Paris Hilton looks flawless in her little black dress which she pairs with a leather jacket on Saturday, September 26, 2020. The heiress is joined by beau Carter Reum as they venture out to Nobu in Malibu for a romantic date night. (Photo by X17/SIPA Press)