Gilbert M. Anderson
Born in 1880, ‘Broncho Billy’ Anderson is considered the first western film star. He played three film roles in “The Great Train Robbery” and then began to write, direct and act in his own films. After co-founding the Essanay Studios in 1907 with George Kirk Spoor, Anderson appeared in some 300 short films. But it was his 148 western shorts playing cowboy Bronco Billy that made him a star.
He retired for the first time in 1916 but made a few comebacks, including producing movies into the 1950s for his company, Progressive Pictures. He received an honorary Oscar in 1958 as a “motion picture pioneer.” Anderson came out of retirement one more time for a cameo in 1965’s “The Bounty Hunter.” He died at age of 90 1971.
Acting
Movie
The Great Train Robbery
as Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
1903
Movie
The Champion
as Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)
1915
Movie
His Regeneration
as The Regenerate
1915
Movie
The Bounty Killer
as The Man in the Cantina
1965
Movie
What Happened in the Tunnel
1903
Movie
The Train Wreckers
as Last Train Wrecker
1905
Movie
The Messenger Boy's Mistake
as Cholly
1903
Movie
Broncho Billy and the Greaser
as Broncho Billy
1914
Movie
A Wife of the Hills
as Bart McGrew
1912
Movie
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress
as Broncho Billy
1912
Movie
Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up
as Broncho Billy
1912
Movie
Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape
as Broncho Billy
1912
Movie
The Tomboy on Bar Z
1912
Movie
Life with Henry
as Business Man (uncredited)
1941
Movie
Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke
as Broncho Billy
1914
Movie
The Son-of-a-Gun
as Bill
1919
Movie
Broncho Billy and the Rustler's Child
as Broncho Billy
1913
Movie
The Cowboy Coward
as Steve
1911
Movie
Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner
as Broncho Billy
1911
Movie
The Movies March On
as Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)
1939
Movie
Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County
as Broncho Billy
1913
Movie
Broncho Billy and the Western Girls
as Broncho Billy
1913
Movie
Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs
as (archive footage)
2000
Movie
Broncho Billy's Conscience
as Broncho Billy
1913
Crew
Movie
The Great Train Robbery
Assistant Director
1903
Movie
The Lucky Dog
Producer
1921
Movie
His Regeneration
Director
1915
Movie
The Soilers
Producer
1923
Movie
Mud and Sand
Producer
1922
Movie
Mr. Flip
Director
1909
Movie
The Pest
Director
1922
Movie
The Weak-End Party
Director
1922
Movie
The Egg
Producer
1922
Movie
Broncho Billy and the Greaser
Director
1914
Movie
His First Ride
Director
1907
Movie
A Wife of the Hills
Director
1912