Gilbert M. Anderson

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.

Known For

Messenger Boy

The Messenger Boy's Mistake

Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)

The Great Train Robbery

(archive footage)

Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs

The Tomboy on Bar Z

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Conscience

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Dad

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Sisters

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office

Self

Hollywood and the Stars

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the False Note

Dr. Roland White

The Doctor's Duty

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Elopement

Ingomar

Ingomar of the Hills

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Outlaw's Mother

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's First Arrest

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Christmas Deed

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Settler's Daughter

Broncho Billy

The Treachery of Broncho Billy's Pal

Cal Evans

The Silent Message

The Doctor

The Marked Trail

Pete the Coyote

A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law

Jack Smythe

Pals of the Range

Big Bill Hastings

A Westerner's Way

Hal Martin

The Little Prospector

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's True Love

Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present

Frank Morrison

A Cowboy's Vindication

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Well Repaid

The Tenderfoot Messenger

Trail to the West

Andy Carson

The Bad Man's Christmas Gift

Halsted

A Gambler of the West

The Count and the Cowboys

Broncho Billy

The Inference of Broncho Billy

The Mexican

The Mexican's Faith

One of Hubby's Friends

Hubby's Scheme

The Border Ranger

The Border Ranger

A Child of the West

The Baseball Fan

The Road Agents

Western Stage Coach Hold Up

Western Justice

The Bandit Makes Good

The Life of an American Cowboy

Tag Day

Shanghaied

A Brush Between Cowboys and Indians

Jack Reed

The Tenderfoot Foreman

Tom Harper

The Sheepman's Escape

The Black Sheep

Bob Graham

The Oath of His Office

A Tale of the West

A Maid of the Mountains

The Deputy

The Deputy and the Girl

Tom 'Bud' Wilson

The Spanish Girl

The Sheriff

A Mexican's Gratitude

The Best Man Wins

Honest Steve

The Heart of a Cowboy

Jim Watson

The Ranchman's Rival

The Indian Trailer

Ten Nights in a Barroom

Tom Carlton

His Reformation

Judgment

Broncho Billy

The Ranch Girl's Mistake

The Two Reformations

Brant Graham

The Smuggler's Daughter

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Bible

Carmenita the Faithful

Frank Carpenter

The Cattleman's Daughter

Harry Perkins

The Bad Man's Downfall

Dan Warrington

The Outlaw and the Child

Revered Warren Addington

The Indian Maiden's Lesson

Sheriff Will Phelps

The Sheriff's Chum

Sherwin Wells

The Romance on 'Bar O'

Harvey Barton

The Puncher's New Love

The Bunco Game at Lizardhead

The Cowboy

Across the Plains

Bad Man Dan Quigley

The Bad Man's First Prayer

Frank Mills

What a Woman Can Do

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Red Man

Gray Wolf

The Tribe's Penalty

George Maxwell

The Lucky Card

Broncho Billy

The Infant at Snakeville

Jack

Forgiven in Death

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Bad Man

Gilbert Randall

At the Break of Dawn

Walker - the Backwoodsman

The Backwoodsman's Suspicion

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy-Guardian

Gerald Todds

The Corporation and the Ranch Girl

A Western Maid

Electric Insoles

Old Rancher

Won by a Hold-Up

Western Chivalry

The Outlaw's Sacrifice

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Rattler

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Navajo Maid

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Mistake

Tom Ripley, a Cowboy

The Cowboy and the Squaw

The Man in the Cantina

The Bounty Killer

Will Talbot

The Faithful Indian

Robert Graham

The Fence on 'Bar Z' Ranch

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Reforms

Jack Tyler

The Ranch Girl's Legacy

Pedestrian with Seltzer Bottle

Method in His Madness

Frank Wendell

The Flower of the Ranch

Innocent Cowboy

The Mistaken Bandit

James Smyth

The Bad Man and the Preacher

A Ranchman's Wooing

Ross White

The Girl and the Fugitive

A Texas Ranger / The 'Bride'

The Ranger's Bride

Walt Rooney, Convict No. 999

A Vein of Gold

Jesse Farson

The Cowboy's Sweetheart

The Sheriff's Sacrifice

The Brother, Sister and the Cowpuncher

The Little Doctor of the Foothills

A Dying Miner

Away Out West

The Cowpuncher's Ward

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Girl

Pasquale

Under Mexican Skies

Bob Farco

A Road Agent's Love

Barnes

An Arizona Escapade

Bill Simpson

The Deputy's Love Affair

Tom Fleming

The Bandit's Child

The Indian

The Indian and the Child

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Bandits

Jack / Jim

Red Blood and Yellow

Buck Brady

The Cattle King's Daughter

Jack Harvey

The Two Fugitives

Bill Hinchley

The Greater Duty

Jack Manley

A Pal's Oath

Jack Mason

The Outlaw Samaritan

Broncho Billy

The Redemption of Broncho Billy

Spike Shannon

Spike Shannon's Last Fight

Tom Patterson

The Puncher's Law

Spike Shannon

A Western Girl's Sacrifice

Broncho Bill

Broncho Bill's Last Spree

Grey Deer

An Indian's Sacrifice

Silas Strong

The Millionaire and the Squatter

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Squareness

Jim Logan

The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine

Broncho Bill

Town Hall, Tonight

Steve Jameson

The Sheriff's Decision

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Secret

Jim Reed - an Outlaw

The Power of Good

Tom

A Western Redemption

Tom Percival

The Stage Driver's Daughter

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Teachings

Rev. Small

The Forester's Plea

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Word of Honor

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Vengeance

The Doctor

The Ranchman's Feud

The Bad Man

The Bad Man's Last Deed

The Bandit's Wife

Deputy Marshal Charles Wentworth

The Forest Ranger

Bartwell

The Unknown Claim

The New Sheriff

The Desperado

A Cowboy

Under Western Skies

Harry Forsyth

Trailed to the Hills

Jack Hartley

The Girl on Triple X

The Half-Breed

The Dumb Half Breed's Defense

Bob Dean

The Deputy's Love

The Count That Counted

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Schoolmam's Sweetheart

Milton Rodd

The Millionaire and the Ranch Girl

The Referee

He Met the Champion

Jim Allison

The Pony Express Rider

Bullets Brown

The Tout's Remembrance

Jack Sherwood

An Indian Girl's Love

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Strategy

Dick Martin

Patricia of the Plains

Curt, the Sheriff

The Bearded Bandit

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Brother

Jim Morris

The Desert Sweetheart

Walter Johnson

A Western Legacy

Jim Durkin

The Dead Man's Claim

The Arizona Kid

The Sheriff and His Man

Jim Andrews - Foreman of the Ranch

On El Monte Ranch

Bart Darrow

A Child of the Purple Sage

Sam Hardy

Western Hearts

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Gratitude

Tom Phelps

Outwitting Papa

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Vigilante

Buck Stevens

The Outlaw Deputy

Jack King

The Girl Back East

Bob Knight

The Foreman's Cousin

Triggerless Jim Burrows

A Story of Montana

Jim Andrews

On the Cactus Trail

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Pal

Tom Jackson

A Moonshiner's Heart

Bill Dunham - Ranch Foreman

The Ranchman's Trust

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy for Sheriff

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Escapade

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Outwitted

An Indian

An Indian Sunbeam

Dave Price

The Ranch Girl's Trial

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Promise

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Brother

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Last Deed

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid

Western Girls

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Love Affair

Broncho Billy

The Reward for Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Heart

Broncho Billy

An Indian's Friendship

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Maid

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Gun Play

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Ward

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Step-Sisters

Broncho Billy

The Influence on Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Gratefulness

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Sister

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Way

Broncho Billy

The Ranch Feud

The Accusation of Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Reason

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Grit

Broncho Billy

The Crazy Prospector

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Express Rider

Broncho Billy

The Tenderfoot Sheriff

Mr. Orr, a Government Assayist

The Redeemed Claim

Broncho Billy

The Man in the Cabin

Broncho Billy

A Western Sister's Devotion

The Regenerate

His Regeneration

Dr. Sharp

The Struggle

Dr. Sharp

The Wheels of Safety

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Gets Square

The Sheriff

The New Schoolmarm of Green River

Broncho Billy

The Three Gamblers

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Oath

Rough Neck

A Night on the Road

Broncho Billy

Snakeville's New Doctor

Broncho Billy

The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Trapped

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Rewarded

Jim Barton

The Calling of Jim Barton

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy -- Favorite

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Mother

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Mission

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy -- Gun-Man

Broocho Billy

Broncho Billy's Scheme

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Sermon

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Close Call

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Decision

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Leap

Broncho Billy

Red Riding Hood of the Hills

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Cunning

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Duty

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy, Outlaw

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Jealousy

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Punishment

The Husband

The Tie That Binds

The Artist

The Other Girl

Tom

The Revenue Agent

The Husband

The Wealth of the Poor

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber

The Bachelor

The Bachelor's Burglar

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Sheriff

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Puts One Over

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Gambler

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Judgment

Broncho Billy

The Squatter's Gal

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Double Escape

Broncho Billy

The Tell-Tale Hand

The Outlaw

The Western Way

Broncho Billy

When Love and Honor Called

The Outlaw

The Outlaw's Awakening

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Wild Ride

Andy of the Royal Mounted

Andy of the Royal Mounted

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Wins Out

The Burglar

His Wife's Secret

The Burglar

The Face at the Curtain

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy, the Vagabond

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Butts In

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Indian Romance

The Sweetheart

Her Realization

Broncho Billy

The Little Prospector

The Bachelor

The Bachelor's Baby

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Protégé

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Marriage

The Husband

Her Return

The Landowner

An Unexpected Romance

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Steps In

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Begins Life Anew

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp

The Convict

The Convict's Threat

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Lumber King

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Misled

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy, Sheepman

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Parents

The Husband

Suppressed Evidence

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy Evens Matters

The Young Man

Wine, Women and Song

The Indian

The Indian's Narrow Escape

Broncho Billy

The Escape of Broncho Billy

The Capitalist

Her Lesson

Broncho Billy / Santa Claus

A Christmas Revenge

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Love Affair

Frank Potter

Too Much Turkey

John Stone

The Man in Him

Broncho Billy Adair

Humanity

The Book Agent

The Book Agent's Romance

Business Man (uncredited)

Life with Henry

Self

Stars of Yesterday

Self (archive footage)

The Legend of Rudolph Valentino

Self (archive footage)

Smash His Camera

Gilbert Sterling

The Good-for-Nothing

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Sentence

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Greaser

Bill

The Son-of-a-Gun

Broncho Billy

The Making of Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Baby

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Redemption

What Happened in the Tunnel

Steve

The Cowboy Coward

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner

Last Train Wrecker

The Train Wreckers

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Rustler's Child

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up

Bart McGrew

A Wife of the Hills

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Capture

Sherlock Holmes

Adventures of Sherlock Holmes; or, Held for Ransom

(archive footage) (uncredited)

The Film Parade

Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)

The Movies March On

Self (archive footage)

Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay

Broncho Billy

Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County

The Bandit King

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Western Girls

Broncho Billy

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy's Adventure

Broncho Billy

Shootin' Mad

Personal Info

Known For

Directing

Known Credits

343

Gender

Male

Birthday

1880-03-20

Place of Birth

Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Also Known As

Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson