A silent film actress is a performer who starred in movies produced before the advent of synchronized sound in the late 1920s. These films relied on visual storytelling, where actors conveyed emotions and narratives through exaggerated facial expressions and body language. Notable silent film actresses include Mary Pickford and Greta Garbo, who became iconic figures in early cinema. Silent films often featured intertitles, which are text cards that provided dialogue or context. The absence of spoken words meant that actresses had to master the art of physical expression to engage audiences. This unique style laid the groundwork for modern acting techniques in the film industry.