Gilbert M. Anderson
March 20, 1880 (144 years old) in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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
Credits
- 2017 · Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay as Self (archive footage)
- 2010 · Smash His Camera as Self (archive footage)
- 2000 · Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs as (archive footage)
- 1965 · The Bounty Killer as The Man in the Cantina
- 1964 · Hollywood and the Stars as Self
- 1961 · The Legend of Rudolph Valentino as Self (archive footage)
- 1941 · Life with Henry as Business Man (uncredited)
- 1939 · The Movies March On as Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)
- 1933 · The Film Parade as (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1931 · Stars of Yesterday as Self
- 1922 · The Greater Duty as
- 1919 · The Son-of-a-Gun as Bill
- 1919 · Red Blood and Yellow as Jack / Jim
- 1918 · Shootin' Mad as Broncho Billy
- 1917 · Humanity as Broncho Billy Adair
- 1916 · The Man in Him as John Stone
- 1916 · The Book Agent's Romance as The Book Agent
- 1916 · Her Lesson as The Capitalist
- 1915 · A Christmas Revenge as Broncho Billy / Santa Claus
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Love Affair as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · The Indian's Narrow Escape as The Indian
- 1915 · The Escape of Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Wine, Women and Song as The Young Man
- 1915 · Too Much Turkey as Frank Potter
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy Evens Matters as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Parents as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Suppressed Evidence as The Husband
- 1915 · Broncho Billy, Sheepman as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy Misled as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · The Convict's Threat as The Convict
- 1915 · An Unexpected Romance as The Landowner
- 1915 · Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy and the Lumber King as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy Begins Life Anew as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Her Return as The Husband
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Marriage as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy Steps In as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Protégé as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · The Bachelor's Baby as The Bachelor
- 1915 · Broncho Billy Well Repaid as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · The Little Prospector as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Her Realization as The Sweetheart
- 1915 · Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · The Wealth of the Poor as The Husband
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Word of Honor as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · The Bachelor's Burglar as The Bachelor
- 1915 · The Revenue Agent as Tom
- 1915 · The Other Girl as The Artist
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Teachings as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · His Regeneration as The Regenerate
- 1915 · The Tie That Binds as The Husband
- 1915 · His Wife's Secret as The Burglar
- 1915 · The Face at the Curtain as The Burglar
- 1915 · Andy of the Royal Mounted as Andy of the Royal Mounted
- 1915 · Ingomar of the Hills as Ingomar
- 1915 · The Outlaw's Awakening as The Outlaw
- 1915 · The Western Way as The Outlaw
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Vengeance as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Brother as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy and the Vigilante as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Sentence as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy and the False Note as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy and the Baby as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · When Love and Honor Called as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy and the Sisters as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers as Broncho Billy
- 1915 · Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Dad as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Judgment as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Double Escape as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Scheme as Broocho Billy
- 1914 · The Tell-Tale Hand as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Decision as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Mission as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Mother as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy -- Favorite as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy Rewarded as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy and the Greaser as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy Trapped as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy Butts In as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy, the Vagabond as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Indian Romance as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Wild Ride as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy Wins Out as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · The Squatter's Gal as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy and the Gambler as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy Puts One Over as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy and the Sheriff as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Punishment as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Jealousy as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy, Outlaw as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · The Good-for-Nothing as Gilbert Sterling
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Duty as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Red Riding Hood of the Hills as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Leap as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Sermon as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Close Call as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy -- Gun-Man as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy and the Rattler as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · The Treachery of Broncho Billy's Pal as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's Cunning as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy's True Love as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · The Inference of Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · The Calling of Jim Barton as Jim Barton
- 1914 · Broncho Billy and the Settler's Daughter as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy and the Red Man as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Broncho Billy and the Bad Man as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · A Night on the Road as Rough Neck
- 1914 · Broncho Billy-Guardian as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · Snakeville's New Doctor as Broncho Billy
- 1914 · The Redemption of Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Christmas Deed as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Three Gamblers as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Squareness as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's First Arrest as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The New Schoolmarm of Green River as The Sheriff
- 1913 · The Wheels of Safety as Dr. Sharp
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Secret as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Doctor's Duty as Dr. Roland White
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Elopement as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy Gets Square as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Oath as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Struggle as Dr. Sharp
- 1913 · Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Redeemed Claim as Mr. Orr, a Government Assayist
- 1913 · Broncho Billy Reforms as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Conscience as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · A Western Sister's Devotion as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Mistake as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Man in the Cabin as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy and the Navajo Maid as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Tenderfoot Sheriff as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy and the Schoolmam's Sweetheart as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy and the Western Girls as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Strategy as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Ranch Feud as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Capture as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy and the Express Rider as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Grit as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Crazy Prospector as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy and the Rustler's Child as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Accusation of Broncho Billy as
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Reason as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Way as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Gratefulness as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Sister as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy and the Step-Sisters as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Influence on Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Last Deed as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Ward as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · The Making of Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Gun Play as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy's Brother as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy and the Outlaw's Mother as Broncho Billy
- 1913 · Broncho Billy and the Maid as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · The Reward for Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · Broncho Billy's Promise as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · Broncho Billy's Love Affair as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · Western Girls as
- 1912 · Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · Broncho Billy's Heart as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · An Indian's Friendship as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · The Ranch Girl's Trial as Dave Price
- 1912 · The Tomboy on Bar Z as
- 1912 · An Indian Sunbeam as An Indian
- 1912 · Broncho Billy Outwitted as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · The Tenderfoot Foreman as Jack Reed
- 1912 · The Ranchman's Trust as Bill Dunham - Ranch Foreman
- 1912 · Broncho Billy for Sheriff as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · Broncho Billy's Escapade as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · Broncho Billy's Pal as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · A Wife of the Hills as Bart McGrew
- 1912 · The Smuggler's Daughter as Brant Graham
- 1912 · A Story of Montana as Triggerless Jim Burrows
- 1912 · Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · On the Cactus Trail as Jim Andrews
- 1912 · Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · A Moonshiner's Heart as Tom Jackson
- 1912 · The Foreman's Cousin as Bob Knight
- 1912 · Broncho Billy's Gratitude as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · Western Hearts as Sam Hardy
- 1912 · A Child of the Purple Sage as Bart Darrow
- 1912 · On El Monte Ranch as Jim Andrews - Foreman of the Ranch
- 1912 · Broncho Billy's Bible as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · The Desert Sweetheart as Jim Morris
- 1912 · A Western Legacy as Walter Johnson
- 1912 · The Sheriff and His Man as The Arizona Kid
- 1912 · The Dead Man's Claim as Jim Durkin
- 1912 · Broncho Billy and the Bandits as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · The Indian and the Child as The Indian
- 1912 · The Cattle King's Daughter as Buck Brady
- 1912 · Under Mexican Skies as Pasquale
- 1912 · Broncho Billy and the Girl as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · A Road Agent's Love as Bob Farco
- 1912 · An Arizona Escapade as Barnes
- 1912 · Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · The Deputy's Love Affair as Bill Simpson
- 1912 · The Bandit's Child as Tom Fleming
- 1912 · The Ranch Girl's Mistake as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · The Deputy and the Girl as The Deputy
- 1912 · Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress as Broncho Billy
- 1912 · The Oath of His Office as Bob Graham
- 1912 · The Sheepman's Escape as Tom Harper
- 1912 · A Child of the West as
- 1911 · Broncho Billy's Adventure as Broncho Billy
- 1911 · Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner as Broncho Billy
- 1911 · The Cowboy Coward as Steve
- 1911 · Hubby's Scheme as One of Hubby's Friends
- 1911 · The Girl Back East as Jack King
- 1911 · Outlaw Deputy as Buck Stevens
- 1911 · Outwitting Papa as Tom Phelps
- 1911 · The Forester's Plea as Rev. Small
- 1911 · A Western Redemption as Tom
- 1911 · The Stage Driver's Daughter as Tom Percival
- 1911 · Town Hall, Tonight as Broncho Bill
- 1911 · The Sheriff's Decision as Steve Jameson
- 1911 · The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine as Jim Logan
- 1911 · The Power of Good as Jim Reed - an Outlaw
- 1911 · An Indian's Sacrifice as Grey Deer
- 1911 · The Millionaire and the Squatter as Silas Strong
- 1911 · The Puncher's Law as Tom Patterson
- 1911 · Broncho Bill's Last Spree as Broncho Bill
- 1911 · A Western Girl's Sacrifice as Spike Shannon
- 1911 · Spike Shannon's Last Fight as Spike Shannon
- 1911 · A Pal's Oath as Jack Manley
- 1911 · The Two Fugitives as Jack Harvey
- 1911 · The Outlaw Samaritan as Jack Mason
- 1911 · The Backwoodsman's Suspicion as Walker - the Backwoodsman
- 1911 · The Corporation and the Ranch Girl as Gerald Todds
- 1911 · At the Break of Dawn as Gilbert Randall
- 1911 · The Tribe's Penalty as Gray Wolf
- 1911 · Forgiven in Death as Jack
- 1911 · The Infant at Snakeville as Broncho Billy
- 1911 · The Lucky Card as George Maxwell
- 1911 · The Puncher's New Love as Harvey Barton
- 1911 · The Bunco Game at Lizardhead as
- 1911 · What a Woman Can Do as Frank Mills
- 1911 · The Indian Maiden's Lesson as Revered Warren Addington
- 1911 · The Bad Man's First Prayer as Bad Man Dan Quigley
- 1911 · Across the Plains as The Cowboy
- 1911 · The Sheriff's Chum as Sheriff Will Phelps
- 1911 · The Faithful Indian as Will Talbot
- 1911 · The Romance on 'Bar O' as Sherwin Wells
- 1911 · The Cattleman's Daughter as Frank Carpenter
- 1911 · The Outlaw and the Child as Dan Warrington
- 1911 · The Bad Man's Downfall as Harry Perkins
- 1911 · Carmenita the Faithful as
- 1911 · The Two Reformations as
- 1911 · The Border Ranger as The Border Ranger
- 1911 · The Count and the Cowboys as
- 1910 · A Gambler of the West as Halsted
- 1910 · The Bad Man's Christmas Gift as Andy Carson
- 1910 · The Tenderfoot Messenger as
- 1910 · A Cowboy's Vindication as Frank Morrison
- 1910 · Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present as
- 1910 · The Little Prospector as Hal Martin
- 1910 · The Marked Trail as The Doctor
- 1910 · A Westerner's Way as Big Bill Hastings
- 1910 · The Silent Message as Cal Evans
- 1910 · Pals of the Range as Jack Smythe
- 1910 · A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law as Pete the Coyote
- 1910 · The Bearded Bandit as Curt, the Sheriff
- 1910 · Patricia of the Plains as Dick Martin
- 1910 · The Tout's Remembrance as Bullets Brown
- 1910 · The Pony Express Rider as Jim Allison
- 1910 · He Met the Champion as The Referee
- 1910 · An Indian Girl's Love as Jack Sherwood
- 1910 · The Millionaire and the Ranch Girl as Milton Rodd
- 1910 · The Deputy's Love as Bob Dean
- 1910 · The Dumb Half Breed's Defense as The Half-Breed
- 1910 · The Count That Counted as
- 1910 · The Girl on Triple X as Jack Hartley
- 1910 · Under Western Skies as A Cowboy
- 1910 · Broncho Billy's Redemption as Broncho Billy
- 1910 · The Desperado as The New Sheriff
- 1910 · Trailed to the Hills as Harry Forsyth
- 1910 · The Unknown Claim as Bartwell
- 1910 · The Bad Man's Last Deed as The Bad Man
- 1910 · The Forest Ranger as Deputy Marshal Charles Wentworth
- 1910 · The Bandit's Wife as
- 1910 · The Ranchman's Feud as The Doctor
- 1910 · Away Out West as A Dying Miner
- 1910 · The Brother, Sister and the Cowpuncher as
- 1910 · The Little Doctor of the Foothills as
- 1910 · The Cowpuncher's Ward as
- 1910 · The Sheriff's Sacrifice as
- 1910 · A Vein of Gold as Walt Rooney, Convict No. 999
- 1910 · The Cowboy's Sweetheart as Jesse Farson
- 1910 · The Mistaken Bandit as Innocent Cowboy
- 1910 · The Bad Man and the Preacher as James Smyth
- 1910 · The Ranger's Bride as A Texas Ranger / The 'Bride'
- 1910 · The Flower of the Ranch as Frank Wendell
- 1910 · A Ranchman's Wooing as
- 1910 · The Girl and the Fugitive as Ross White
- 1910 · Method in His Madness as Pedestrian with Seltzer Bottle
- 1910 · The Fence on 'Bar Z' Ranch as Robert Graham
- 1910 · The Ranch Girl's Legacy as Jack Tyler
- 1910 · The Mexican's Faith as The Mexican
- 1910 · The Cowboy and the Squaw as Tom Ripley, a Cowboy
- 1910 · Western Chivalry as
- 1910 · The Outlaw's Sacrifice as
- 1910 · Won by a Hold-Up as Old Rancher
- 1910 · Electric Insoles as
- 1910 · Trail to the West as
- 1910 · A Western Maid as
- 1909 · The Heart of a Cowboy as Honest Steve
- 1909 · The Spanish Girl as Tom 'Bud' Wilson
- 1909 · The Ranchman's Rival as Jim Watson
- 1909 · His Reformation as Tom Carlton
- 1909 · Judgment as
- 1909 · The Best Man Wins as
- 1909 · A Maid of the Mountains as
- 1909 · The Black Sheep as
- 1909 · Ten Nights in a Barroom as
- 1909 · The Indian Trailer as
- 1909 · A Mexican's Gratitude as The Sheriff
- 1909 · A Tale of the West as
- 1909 · The Road Agents as
- 1909 · Shanghaied as
- 1909 · Tag Day as
- 1908 · The Bandit Makes Good as
- 1908 · The Baseball Fan as
- 1908 · The Life of an American Cowboy as
- 1907 · The Bandit King as
- 1907 · Western Justice as
- 1905 · The Train Wreckers as Last Train Wrecker
- 1905 · Adventures of Sherlock Holmes as Sherlock Holmes
- 1904 · Western Stage Coach Hold Up as
- 1904 · A Brush Between Cowboys and Indians as
- 1903 · The Great Train Robbery as Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
- 1903 · What Happened in the Tunnel as
- 1903 · The Messenger Boy's Mistake as Messenger Boy