Entertainment Feature: Top 20 Celebrity Portraits of 2016, By Photographer Joe Arce

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16. Craig Robinson of “The Office”

Comic Actor Craig Robinson
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Any good portrait should convey emotion, and capture a spark of that person’s soul. The thing I really like about this Craig Robinson photo is that it always makes me smile or laugh. As a popular comedic actor (“The Office,” “Hot Tub Time Machine,” “Morris From America”), he allows me to actually hear his voice in this shot - well played, Mr. Robinson.

LOCATION/DATE: Chicago Critics Film Festival, May 20, 2016

15. Illeana Douglas

Actress/Author Illeana Douglas
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Illeana Douglass may be busy blaming Dennis Hopper – the book she was promoting was entitled “I Blame Dennis Hopper: And Other Stories from a Life Live In and Out of the Movies” – but the rest of us are quite content just thanking Martin Scorsese… because it was he who first gifted us with her magnificently quirky magic. There is nothing about Ms. Douglass that isn’t unique, from her Anime eyes and instantly recognizable voice, to her ability to steal a scene from the biggest names in Hollywood. During her recent book tour, when I finally got a chance to direct her in front of my lens, it was a dream “To Die For,” and she made stunning portraits so “Easy To Assemble.”

LOCATION/DATE: The James Hotel, Chicago, March 19, 2016

14. Mariel Hemingway

Actress/Activist Mariel Hemingway
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Apart from her famous pedigree, leading lady looks or long celebrated acting skills, Mariel Hemingway – beyond the glitter – is just a stellar white-light human being. I photographed her, interviewed her and worked events with her so many times over the years, that I feel as if I can call her my friend. But that’s the thing about Ms. Hemingway, she treats everyone that way, and that’s why she is one of my favorite celebrities.

Despite her recent documentary, “Running From Crazy,” she is one of the sanest and least affected celebrity I know, and this is probably my favorite portrait of her. We were working an event together, and I asked her to step in to simply test the lights while we were standing around chatting on a break. There is no posing, no direction, and this is Mariel just focusing on being a helpful friend. In that un-guarded moment…which is her natural state…that is pure gold.

LOCATION/DATE: The Hollywood Show Chicago, September 10, 2016

13. Singer John Legend

Singer/Musician John Legend
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

One of the potential perks of being married to a supermodel – as John Legend proves in this portrait – is getting a crash course in the art of always being camera ready. Legend not only stepped up to the plate, but knocked it out of the park. He is an Academy Award and ten-time Grammy winner, and was in Chicago to walk the Red Carpet for the 2016 film “South Side With You.” Not only did he write an original song for the film, but he also served as Executive Producer. After this “Legend”-ary shot, I answered a musical question from the “Love Me Now”(?) singer, gratefully replying, “Yep.”

LOCATION/DATE: The Music Box Theatre, Chicago, August 18, 2016