Adrien Brody does not give off the smooth-talking, sound bite–heavy suaveness that defines so many of his contemporaries. He is eloquent and humble, his voice deep and his laugh infectious, his words thoughtful and sincere; from our winter 2008 issue.

Photographed by Sylvia Plachy.

For Ottawa native Sandra Oh, getting to the top is only half the battle. She’s had the fortitude to not only succeed, but to do it on her own terms; from our spring 2008 issue.

Photographed by Sherry Nields.

John Krasinski is so consistently gracious that it is something of a trademark. Like so many actors, he has paid his dues. Before nabbing the role of Jim Halpert, he worked as a waiter, did readings of off-Broadway plays, and interned at Late Night with Conan O’Brien; from our winter 2012 issue.

Photographed by Michael Muller.

If you’ve ever seen Elijah Wood in Wilfred, one of TV’s most surreal comedies ever, you quickly realize there’s a lot more to this guy than Frodo, the life-changing role he played in the three Lord of the Rings films, and which he is reprising for The Hobbit; from our summer 2012 issue.

Photographed by Matthew Welch.

When Ethan Hawke hears something he wants to remember, he whips out a ballpoint pen and scribbles it on his arm. It’s a Holden Caulfield–like habit, self-consciously literary, but endearing nonetheless; from our winter 2011 issue.

Photographed by Brian Bowen Smith.

An actor in demand, Vera Farmiga is best known for playing George Clooney’s high-flying love interest in the critically acclaimed film Up in the Air (for which she garnered an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress), as well as her appearances in Martin Scorsese’s The Departed and indie hit Down to the Bone. She is celebrated for her soulful face, especially her eyes, and her serene beauty is just as captivating in person; from our autumn 2011 issue.

Photographed by Nino Muñoz.

Paul Giamatti, the self-described “stay-at-home-y” actor, talks about a certain secret society at Yale, his most persistent fans, and what it was like to play a Canuck; from our winter 2010 issue.

Photographed by Brian Bowen Smith.

Joshua Jackson has come a long way since he donned a hockey jersey in three Mighty Ducks movies and spent six years as wisecracking Pacey Witter on Dawson’s Creek; from our autumn 2010 issue.

Photographed by Don Flood.

She has an impressive film resumé. She takes on roles that are varied and wide in scope. She is Naomi Watts; from our winter 2009 issue.

Photographed by Ben Watts.

There is something about Neve Campbell, perhaps a sense of vulnerability wrapped around an inner core of intelligence and strength, that applies to virtually everything she has done; from our summer 2008 issue.

Photographed by Brian Bowen Smith.

There are many ways to change the world. March in a protest. Love someone. Make a movie. Watch one. Sarah Polley has done these things, though like most people she probably wouldn’t quantify them as life-changing; from our spring 2007 issue.

Photographed by Michael Stylianou.

Innocently stating that he “just started working,” Roy Dupuis has gently wandered from one success to the next. He seems not to pursue fame or celebrity; they seem to be chasing him. Not many actors have it that easy; from our autumn 2001 issue.

Photographed by Carl Lessard.