Gilbert M. Anderson

Directing·Mar 20, 1880·Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

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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.

Film	Credit
Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay2017 · Self (archive footage)	Self (archive footage)
Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs2000 · (archive footage)	(archive footage)
The Bounty Killer1965 · The Man in the Cantina	The Man in the Cantina
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino1961 · Self (archive footage)	Self (archive footage)
The Western: A Lost TV Special1958 · Self	Self
Life with Henry1941 · Business Man (uncredited)	Business Man (uncredited)
The Movies March On1939 · Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)	Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)
The Film Parade1933 · (archive footage) (uncredited)	(archive footage) (uncredited)
Stars of Yesterday1931 · Self	Self
The Soilers1923 · Producer	Producer
The Handy Man1923 · Producer	Producer
When Knights Were Cold1923 · Producer	Producer
The Pest1922 · Producer, Director	Producer, Director
Mud and Sand1922 · Producer	Producer
The Weak-End Party1922 · Director, Producer	Director, Producer
The Egg1922 · Producer	Producer
Ashes1922 · Director	Director
TThe Greater Duty1922 · Bill Hinchley, Producer	Bill Hinchley, Producer
The Lucky Dog1921 · Producer	Producer
The Son-of-a-Gun1919 · Bill, Director, Producer	Bill, Director, Producer
RRed Blood and Yellow1919 · Jack / Jim, Director, Writer	Jack / Jim, Director, Writer
Shootin' Mad1918 · Broncho Billy, Producer, Writer	Broncho Billy, Producer, Writer
Humanity1917 · Broncho Billy Adair, Director, Writer, Producer	Broncho Billy Adair, Director, Writer, Producer
Vera, the Medium1917 · Director	Director
TThe Man in Him1916 · John Stone, Director	John Stone, Director
TThe Book Agent's Romance1916 · The Book Agent, Director	The Book Agent, Director
HHer Lesson1916 · The Capitalist, Director	The Capitalist, Director
A Christmas Revenge1915 · Broncho Billy / Santa Claus, Director	Broncho Billy / Santa Claus, Director
BBroncho Billy's Love Affair1915 · Broncho Billy, Director	Broncho Billy, Director
TThe Indian's Narrow Escape1915 · The Indian, Director	The Indian, Director
TThe Escape of Broncho Billy1915 · Broncho Billy, Director	Broncho Billy, Director
WWine, Women and Song1915 · The Young Man, Director	The Young Man, Director
TToo Much Turkey1915 · Frank Potter, Director	Frank Potter, Director
BBroncho Billy's Cowardly Brother1915 · Broncho Billy, Director, Writer	Broncho Billy, Director, Writer
BBroncho Billy Evens Matters1915 · Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer	Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer
BBroncho Billy's Parents1915 · Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer	Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer
SSuppressed Evidence1915 · The Husband, Director	The Husband, Director
BBroncho Billy, Sheepman1915 · Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer	Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer
BBroncho Billy Misled1915 · Broncho Billy, Director	Broncho Billy, Director
The Convict's Threat1915 · The Convict, Director	The Convict, Director
AAn Unexpected Romance1915 · The Landowner, Director	The Landowner, Director
BBroncho Billy and the Card Sharp1915 · Broncho Billy, Director	Broncho Billy, Director
BBroncho Billy and the Lumber King1915 · Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer	Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer
BBroncho Billy Begins Life Anew1915 · Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer	Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer
HHer Return1915 · The Husband, Director	The Husband, Director
BBroncho Billy's Marriage1915 · Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer	Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer
BBroncho Billy Steps In1915 · Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer	Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer
BBroncho Billy's Protégé1915 · Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer	Broncho Billy, Director, Writer, Producer