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.
Filmography (341 titles)
MovieCharlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay
Self (archive footage) · 2017
10.0MovieGolden Saddles, Silver Spurs
(archive footage) · 2000
6.0MovieThe Bounty Killer
The Man in the Cantina · 1965
7.0MovieThe Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Self (archive footage) · 1961
MovieThe Western: A Lost TV Special
Self · 1958
6.5MovieLife with Henry
Business Man (uncredited) · 1941
5.3MovieThe Movies March On
Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage) · 1939
8.0MovieThe Film Parade
(archive footage) (uncredited) · 1933
9.0MovieStars of Yesterday
Self · 1931
The Greater Duty
Bill Hinchley · 1922
7.5MovieThe Son-of-a-Gun
Bill · 1919
Red Blood and Yellow
Jack / Jim · 1919
MovieShootin' Mad
Broncho Billy · 1918
9.0MovieHumanity
Broncho Billy Adair · 1917
The Man in Him
John Stone · 1916
The Book Agent's Romance
The Book Agent · 1916
Her Lesson
The Capitalist · 1916
9.0MovieA Christmas Revenge
Broncho Billy / Santa Claus · 1915
Broncho Billy's Love Affair
Broncho Billy · 1915
The Indian's Narrow Escape
The Indian · 1915
The Escape of Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy · 1915
Wine, Women and Song
The Young Man · 1915
Too Much Turkey
Frank Potter · 1915
Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother
Broncho Billy · 1915
Broncho Billy Evens Matters
Broncho Billy · 1915
Broncho Billy's Parents
Broncho Billy · 1915
Suppressed Evidence
The Husband · 1915
Broncho Billy, Sheepman
Broncho Billy · 1915
Broncho Billy Misled
Broncho Billy · 1915
8.0MovieThe Convict's Threat
The Convict · 1915