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.

US actor Ben Affleck and US actress and singer Jennifer Lopez arrive for the screening of the film “The Last Duel” presented out of competition on September 10, 2021 during the 78th Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido. (Photo by Yara Nardi/Reuters)

Singer Liam Payne’s girlfriend, model Maya Henry, 21, posed in a slashed red gown as she attended an event at The Ritz in the French capital on October 4, 2021. (Photo by Beretta/Sims/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

American actress and social media personality Madelaine Petsch in the last decade of April 2024 has the “best night” of her life at an ABBA performance. (Photo by madelame/Instagram)

British singer-songwriter Rita Ora has her knickers in a twist as she gets animated backstage at a music festival in Lithuania in the last decade of July 2024. (Photo by Splash News and Pictures)

American model Emily Ratajkowski flaunted her figure in a tiny crop top and leather pants on September 22, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by emrata/Instagram)

American model Kendall Jenner keeps her cool during a desert getaway in the second decade of June 2025. (Photo by @kendalljenner/Instagram)

Russian model Irina Shayk encourages fans to find their own unicorn in the second decade of April 2022. (Photo by irinashayk/Instagram)