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
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
as Self (archive footage)
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
as Self (archive footage)
Stars of Yesterday
as Self
Stars of Yesterday
as Self
The Escape of Broncho Billy
as Broncho Billy
The Escape of Broncho Billy
as Broncho Billy
The Face at the Curtain
as The Burglar
The Face at the Curtain
as The Burglar
Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the False Note
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the False Note
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Baby
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Baby
as Broncho Billy
When Love and Honor Called
as Broncho Billy
When Love and Honor Called
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Sisters
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Sisters
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Dad
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Dad
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Judgment
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Judgment
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Decision
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Decision
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Mission
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Mission
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy -- Favorite
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy -- Favorite
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Greaser
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Greaser
as Broncho Billy
The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart
as Broncho Billy
The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Butts In
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Butts In
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Indian Romance
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Indian Romance
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Bible
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Bible
as Broncho Billy
The Desert Sweetheart
as Jim Morris
The Desert Sweetheart
as Jim Morris
A Western Legacy
as Walter Johnson
A Western Legacy
as Walter Johnson
The Sheriff and His Man
as The Arizona Kid
The Sheriff and His Man
as The Arizona Kid
The Dead Man's Claim
as Jim Durkin
The Dead Man's Claim
as Jim Durkin
The Indian and the Child
as The Indian
The Indian and the Child
as The Indian
An Arizona Escapade
as Barnes
An Arizona Escapade
as Barnes
Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy
as Broncho Billy
Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy
as Broncho Billy
Outwitting Papa
as Tom Phelps
Outwitting Papa
as Tom Phelps
A Cowboy's Vindication
as Frank Morrison
A Cowboy's Vindication
as Frank Morrison
The Bearded Bandit
as Curt, the Sheriff
The Bearded Bandit
as Curt, the Sheriff
Under Western Skies
as A Cowboy
Under Western Skies
as A Cowboy
The Messenger Boy's Mistake
as Cholly
The Messenger Boy's Mistake
as Cholly