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Gilbert M. Anderson

Directing Born Mar 20, 1880 Little Rock, Arkansas, USA 24 credits

Biography

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.

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Known for

Film

The Great Train Robbery

as Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)

Full filmography

  • The Champion (1915) as Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)
  • The Great Train Robbery (1903) as Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
  • His Regeneration (1915) as The Regenerate
  • Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs (2000) as (archive footage)
  • Broncho Billy's Love Affair (1915) as Broncho Billy
  • Broncho Billy and the Gambler (1914) as Broncho Billy
  • Life with Henry (1941) as Business Man (uncredited)
  • The Cattle King's Daughter (1912) as Buck Brady
  • Tag Day (1909)
  • Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy (1912) as Broncho Billy
  • The Girl on Triple X (1910) as Jack Hartley
  • The Legend of Rudolph Valentino (1961) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Bounty Killer (1965) as The Man in the Cantina
  • The Girl Back East (1911) as Jack King
  • Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife (1912) as Broncho Billy
  • Broncho Billy's Leap (1914) as Broncho Billy
  • The Girl and the Fugitive (1910) as Ross White
  • The Sheriff's Decision (1911) as Steve Jameson
  • An Indian's Friendship (1912) as Broncho Billy
  • Broncho Billy, Sheepman (1915) as Broncho Billy
  • Broncho Billy Reforms (1913) as Broncho Billy
  • Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner (1911) as Broncho Billy
  • A Christmas Revenge (1915) as Broncho Billy / Santa Claus
  • The Western: A Lost TV Special (1958) as Self