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.
Known for
The Great Train Robbery
Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
Smash His Camera
Self (archive footage)
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Self (archive footage)
The Bounty Killer
The Man in the Cantina
His Regeneration
The Regenerate
A Night on the Road
Rough Neck
Life with Henry
Business Man (uncredited)
Across the Plains
The Cowboy
Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife
Broncho Billy
The Champion
Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)
Broncho Billy and the Baby
Broncho Billy
A Westerner's Way
Big Bill Hastings
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
The Infant at Snakeville
Broncho Billy
The Bunco Game at Lizardhead
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid
Broncho Billy
The Border Ranger
The Border Ranger
The Indian Maiden's Lesson
Revered Warren Addington
Broncho Billy and the Sisters
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp
Broncho Billy
On the Cactus Trail
Jim Andrews
Broncho Billy Steps In
Broncho Billy
The Greater Duty
Bill Hinchley
Broncho Billy and the Vigilante
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy for Sheriff
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Adventure
Broncho Billy
The Accusation of Broncho Billy
Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs
(archive footage)
The Book Agent's Romance
The Book Agent
The Three Gamblers
Broncho Billy
The Revenue Agent
Tom
The Film Parade
(archive footage) (uncredited)
Stars of Yesterday
Self
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff
Broncho Billy
Patricia of the Plains
Dick Martin
Broncho Billy and the Greaser
Broncho Billy
The Two Reformations
Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter
Broncho Billy
The Bachelor's Burglar
The Bachelor
The Indian's Narrow Escape
The Indian
Broncho Billy's Gratefulness
Broncho Billy
The Tell-Tale Hand
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Begins Life Anew
Broncho Billy
Broncho Bill's Last Spree
Broncho Bill
Broncho Billy's Mission
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress
Broncho Billy
The Train Wreckers
Last Train Wrecker
Broncho Billy and the False Note
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Rewarded
Broncho Billy
An Indian's Friendship
Broncho Billy
The Bad Man's Last Deed
The Bad Man
The Tenderfoot Foreman
Jack Reed
Broncho Billy's Sermon
Broncho Billy
The Road Agents
A Christmas Revenge
Broncho Billy / Santa Claus
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office
Broncho Billy
At the Break of Dawn
Gilbert Randall
The Redemption of Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy
The Ranch Girl's Trial
Dave Price
The Forester's Plea
Rev. Small
Broncho Billy's Gun Play
Broncho Billy
The Making of Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy
The Best Man Wins
The Calling of Jim Barton
Jim Barton
Broncho Billy's Wild Ride
Broncho Billy
The Movies March On
Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)
A Moonshiner's Heart
Tom Jackson
The Cowboy Coward
Steve
An Indian Sunbeam
An Indian
Broncho Billy's Sentence
Broncho Billy
The Ranch Feud
Broncho Billy
The Wealth of the Poor
The Husband
Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need
Broncho Billy
Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Wins Out
Broncho Billy
What Happened in the Tunnel
The Ranch Girl's Mistake
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up
Broncho Billy
A Western Redemption
Tom
The Tenderfoot Sheriff
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Misled
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy-Guardian
Broncho Billy
Pals of the Range
Jack Smythe
Her Return
The Husband
The Heart of a Cowboy
Honest Steve
The Unknown Claim
Bartwell
Broncho Billy's Pal
Broncho Billy
A Story of Montana
Triggerless Jim Burrows
The Struggle
Dr. Sharp
The Western Way
The Outlaw
Andy of the Royal Mounted
Andy of the Royal Mounted
Broncho Billy's Vengeance
Broncho Billy
The Desperado
The New Sheriff
Broncho Billy's Teachings
Broncho Billy
The Outlaw's Awakening
The Outlaw
The Count and the Cowboys
The Forest Ranger
Deputy Marshal Charles Wentworth
Method in His Madness
Pedestrian with Seltzer Bottle
Broncho Billy and the Lumber King
Broncho Billy
Snakeville's New Doctor
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Bad Man
Broncho Billy
The Bad Man's Downfall
Harry Perkins
The Bad Man's Christmas Gift
Andy Carson
The Bandit King
Broncho Billy and the Western Girls
Broncho Billy
The Lucky Card
George Maxwell
The Fence on 'Bar Z' Ranch
Robert Graham
Tag Day
The Tomboy on Bar Z
The Two Fugitives
Jack Harvey
Broncho Billy and the Rustler's Child
Broncho Billy
Trailed to the Hills
Harry Forsyth
Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Ward
Broncho Billy
A Gambler of the West
Halsted
The Mistaken Bandit
Innocent Cowboy
The Cowboy's Sweetheart
Jesse Farson
The Silent Message
Cal Evans
The Convict's Threat
The Convict
The Sheriff's Sacrifice
The Indian and the Child
The Indian
Broncho Billy and the Bandits
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Judgment
Broncho Billy
The Mexican's Faith
The Mexican
The Sheriff's Chum
Sheriff Will Phelps
The Sheriff and His Man
The Arizona Kid
Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid
Broncho Billy
Judgment
The Ranchman's Rival
Jim Watson
What a Woman Can Do
Frank Mills
The Ranch Girl's Legacy
Jack Tyler
A Western Legacy
Walter Johnson
Broncho Billy's Mother
Broncho Billy
Away Out West
A Dying Miner
Broncho Billy's Indian Romance
Broncho Billy
Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present
A Cowboy's Vindication
Frank Morrison
Broncho Billy and the Maid
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Trapped
Broncho Billy
The Outlaw's Sacrifice
Broncho Billy Reforms
Broncho Billy
On El Monte Ranch
Jim Andrews - Foreman of the Ranch
A Maid of the Mountains
A Ranchman's Wooing
A Road Agent's Love
Bob Farco
Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy, Outlaw
Broncho Billy
Humanity
Broncho Billy Adair
A Wife of the Hills
Bart McGrew
The Bad Man's First Prayer
Bad Man Dan Quigley
The Redeemed Claim
Mr. Orr, a Government Assayist
The Other Girl
The Artist
His Reformation
Tom Carlton
The Power of Good
Jim Reed - an Outlaw
Outwitting Papa
Tom Phelps
Hubby's Scheme
One of Hubby's Friends
The Black Sheep
The Spanish Girl
Tom 'Bud' Wilson
The Millionaire and the Squatter
Silas Strong
The Face at the Curtain
The Burglar
Broncho Billy and the Red Man
Broncho Billy
Electric Insoles
Western Girls
The Baseball Fan
The Bad Man and the Preacher
James Smyth
Town Hall, Tonight
Broncho Bill
The Little Doctor of the Foothills
The Tout's Remembrance
Bullets Brown
Broncho Billy's Jealousy
Broncho Billy
The Squatter's Gal
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke
Broncho Billy
Won by a Hold-Up
Old Rancher
An Indian's Sacrifice
Grey Deer
Broncho Billy's Scheme
Broocho Billy
The Inference of Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy
Western Stage Coach Hold Up
Her Lesson
The Capitalist
The Marked Trail
The Doctor
Broncho Billy and the Settler's Daughter
Broncho Billy
The Puncher's New Love
Harvey Barton
Broncho Billy's Squareness
Broncho Billy
Under Western Skies
A Cowboy
The Girl on Triple X
Jack Hartley
A Pal's Oath
Jack Manley
The Tie That Binds
The Husband
The Good-for-Nothing
Gilbert Sterling
Broncho Billy's Conscience
Broncho Billy
The Tenderfoot Messenger
Broncho Billy's Bible
Broncho Billy
The Ranger's Bride
A Texas Ranger / The 'Bride'
The Dumb Half Breed's Defense
The Half-Breed
Broncho Billy, Sheepman
Broncho Billy
A Vein of Gold
Walt Rooney, Convict No. 999
Broncho Billy's Protégé
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Dad
Broncho Billy
Suppressed Evidence
The Husband
Broncho Billy and the Rattler
Broncho Billy
The Cowboy and the Squaw
Tom Ripley, a Cowboy
The Girl and the Fugitive
Ross White
Broncho Billy's Strategy
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Love Affair
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Express Rider
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Close Call
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Parents
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Capture
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's True Love
Broncho Billy
The Oath of His Office
Bob Graham
The Corporation and the Ranch Girl
Gerald Todds
Western Chivalry
The Faithful Indian
Will Talbot
Western Hearts
Sam Hardy
Broncho Billy's Grit
Broncho Billy
A Western Sister's Devotion
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Punishment
Broncho Billy
Too Much Turkey
Frank Potter
Broncho Billy's Redemption
Broncho Billy
The Count That Counted
Broncho Billy and the Gambler
Broncho Billy
The Bearded Bandit
Curt, the Sheriff
Broncho Billy Gets Square
Broncho Billy
The Escape of Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy
Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay
Self (archive footage)
Broncho Billy and the Outlaw's Mother
Broncho Billy
The Ranchman's Feud
The Doctor
A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law
Pete the Coyote
The Tribe's Penalty
Gray Wolf
Ingomar of the Hills
Ingomar
Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy
Broncho Billy
Ten Nights in a Bar-Room
Under Mexican Skies
Pasquale
The Puncher's Law
Tom Patterson
The Pony Express Rider
Jim Allison
Broncho Billy's Brother
Broncho Billy
Red Riding Hood of the Hills
Broncho Billy
A Child of the West
The Cattle King's Daughter
Buck Brady
Broncho Billy's Decision
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's First Arrest
Broncho Billy
Spike Shannon's Last Fight
Spike Shannon
An Unexpected Romance
The Landowner
Broncho Billy Well Repaid
Broncho Billy
Trail to the West
Broncho Billy's Mistake
Broncho Billy
The Cowpuncher's Ward
The Outlaw Samaritan
Jack Mason
Broncho Billy Outwitted
Broncho Billy
The Crazy Prospector
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Oath
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Puts One Over
Broncho Billy
His Wife's Secret
The Burglar
Broncho Billy Evens Matters
Broncho Billy
The Son-of-a-Gun
Bill
Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy
The Life of an American Cowboy
Broncho Billy and the Step-Sisters
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Leap
Broncho Billy
Her Realization
The Sweetheart
Shootin' Mad
Broncho Billy
The Millionaire and the Ranch Girl
Milton Rodd
Broncho Billy's Marriage
Broncho Billy
The Messenger Boy's Mistake
Messenger Boy
A Tale of the West
The Flower of the Ranch
Frank Wendell
Outlaw Deputy
Buck Stevens
Broncho Billy Butts In
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Christmas Deed
Broncho Billy
The Bandit's Wife
The Foreman's Cousin
Bob Knight
Broncho Billy -- Gun-Man
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit
Broncho Billy
The Sheepman's Escape
Tom Harper
The Deputy and the Girl
The Deputy
A Mexican's Gratitude
The Sheriff
Carmenita the Faithful
The Romance on 'Bar O'
Sherwin Wells
Forgiven in Death
Jack
A Western Maid
Broncho Billy's Word of Honor
Broncho Billy
A Child of the Purple Sage
Bart Darrow
Broncho Billy's Reason
Broncho Billy
The Man in the Cabin
Broncho Billy
The Backwoodsman's Suspicion
Walker - the Backwoodsman
Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother
Broncho Billy
The Bandit Makes Good
The Smuggler's Daughter
Brant Graham
The Outlaw and the Child
Dan Warrington
The Deputy's Love Affair
Bill Simpson
The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine
Jim Logan
Broncho Billy's Secret
Broncho Billy
He Met the Champion
The Referee
An Indian Girl's Love
Jack Sherwood
The Desert Sweetheart
Jim Morris
The Dead Man's Claim
Jim Durkin
Broncho Billy's Escapade
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Brother
Broncho Billy
The Reward for Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Heart
Broncho Billy
The Influence on Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy
The Wheels of Safety
Dr. Sharp
The New Schoolmarm of Green River
The Sheriff
The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Double Escape
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy, the Vagabond
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Love Affair
Broncho Billy
The Indian Trailer
Broncho Billy and the Navajo Maid
Broncho Billy
Red Blood and Yellow
Jack / Jim
The Sheriff's Decision
Steve Jameson
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmam's Sweetheart
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Promise
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Last Deed
Broncho Billy
The Man in Him
John Stone
Broncho Billy's Elopement
Broncho Billy
The Little Prospector
Hal Martin
Shanghaied
A Brush Between Cowboys and Indians
The Brother, Sister and the Cowpuncher
Broncho Billy and the Girl
Broncho Billy
An Arizona Escapade
Barnes
A Western Girl's Sacrifice
Spike Shannon
The Stage Driver's Daughter
Tom Percival
The Deputy's Love
Bob Dean
The Ranchman's Trust
Bill Dunham - Ranch Foreman
Broncho Billy's Sister
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Way
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy -- Favorite
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Cunning
Broncho Billy
When Love and Honor Called
Broncho Billy
The Little Prospector
Broncho Billy
The Bachelor's Baby
The Bachelor
Wine, Women and Song
The Young Man
Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner
Broncho Billy
The Doctor's Duty
Dr. Roland White
The Treachery of Broncho Billy's Pal
Broncho Billy
The Cattleman's Daughter
Frank Carpenter
The Bandit's Child
Tom Fleming
Broncho Billy's Gratitude
Broncho Billy
The Girl Back East
Jack King
Broncho Billy's Duty
Broncho Billy