Gilbert M. Anderson
Directing • Born 1880-03-20 – Died 1971-01-20
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.
Filmography
342 credits
The Messenger Boy's Mistake
Movie • 1903
Cholly
The Great Train Robbery
Movie • 1903
Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs
Movie • 2000
(archive footage)
The Tomboy on Bar Z
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy's Conscience
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Sisters
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Dad
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the False Note
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
The Doctor's Duty
Movie • 1913
Dr. Roland White
Broncho Billy's Elopement
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Ingomar of the Hills
Movie • 1915
Ingomar
Broncho Billy and the Outlaw's Mother
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Settler's Daughter
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's First Arrest
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Christmas Deed
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Pals of the Range
Movie • 1910
Jack Smythe
A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law
Movie • 1910
Pete the Coyote
A Westerner's Way
Movie • 1910
Big Bill Hastings
The Silent Message
Movie • 1910
Cal Evans
The Marked Trail
Movie • 1910
The Doctor
The Treachery of Broncho Billy's Pal
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Little Prospector
Movie • 1910
Hal Martin
Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present
Movie • 1910
Broncho Billy's True Love
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
A Cowboy's Vindication
Movie • 1910
Frank Morrison
The Tenderfoot Messenger
Movie • 1910
Trail to the West
Movie • 1910
Broncho Billy Well Repaid
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
The Bad Man's Christmas Gift
Movie • 1910
Andy Carson
A Gambler of the West
Movie • 1910
Halsted
The Inference of Broncho Billy
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Count and the Cowboys
Movie • 1911
The Mexican's Faith
Movie • 1910
The Mexican
Hubby's Scheme
Movie • 1911
One of Hubby's Friends
The Border Ranger
Movie • 1911
The Border Ranger
A Child of the West
Movie • 1912
The Baseball Fan
Movie • 1908
The Bandit Makes Good
Movie • 1908
Tag Day
Movie • 1909
Western Stage Coach Hold Up
Movie • 1904
The Road Agents
Movie • 1909
Shanghaied
Movie • 1909
The Life of an American Cowboy
Movie • 1906
The Sheepman's Escape
Movie • 1912
Tom Harper
The Tenderfoot Foreman
Movie • 1912
Jack Reed
The Indian Trailer
Movie • 1909
The Spanish Girl
Movie • 1909
Tom 'Bud' Wilson
The Oath of His Office
Movie • 1912
Bob Graham
His Reformation
Movie • 1909
Tom Carlton
The Best Man Wins
Movie • 1909
The Deputy and the Girl
Movie • 1912
The Deputy
The Black Sheep
Movie • 1909
A Tale of the West
Movie • 1909
A Maid of the Mountains
Movie • 1909
The Heart of a Cowboy
Movie • 1909
Honest Steve
The Ranchman's Rival
Movie • 1909
Jim Watson
Ten Nights in a Bar-Room
Movie • 1909
A Mexican's Gratitude
Movie • 1909
The Sheriff
Judgment
Movie • 1909
The Ranch Girl's Mistake
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
The Smuggler's Daughter
Movie • 1912
Brant Graham
The Two Reformations
Movie • 1911
The Cattleman's Daughter
Movie • 1911
Frank Carpenter
The Bad Man's Downfall
Movie • 1911
Harry Perkins
Broncho Billy's Bible
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Carmenita the Faithful
Movie • 1911
The Outlaw and the Child
Movie • 1911
Dan Warrington
Across the Plains
Movie • 1911
The Cowboy
The Romance on 'Bar O'
Movie • 1911
Sherwin Wells
The Bad Man's First Prayer
Movie • 1911
Bad Man Dan Quigley
The Bunco Game at Lizardhead
Movie • 1911
The Sheriff's Chum
Movie • 1911
Sheriff Will Phelps
The Indian Maiden's Lesson
Movie • 1911
Revered Warren Addington
The Puncher's New Love
Movie • 1911
Harvey Barton
Broncho Billy and the Red Man
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
What a Woman Can Do
Movie • 1911
Frank Mills
The Infant at Snakeville
Movie • 1911
Broncho Billy
Forgiven in Death
Movie • 1911
Jack
The Lucky Card
Movie • 1911
George Maxwell
The Tribe's Penalty
Movie • 1911
Gray Wolf
Broncho Billy and the Bad Man
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
At the Break of Dawn
Movie • 1911
Gilbert Randall
The Corporation and the Ranch Girl
Movie • 1911
Gerald Todds
Broncho Billy-Guardian
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Backwoodsman's Suspicion
Movie • 1911
Walker - the Backwoodsman
A Western Maid
Movie • 1910
Electric Insoles
Movie • 1910
Won by a Hold-Up
Movie • 1910
Old Rancher
Western Chivalry
Movie • 1910
The Outlaw's Sacrifice
Movie • 1910
Broncho Billy and the Navajo Maid
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Reforms
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Bounty Killer
Movie • 1965
The Man in the Cantina
Broncho Billy's Mistake
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Cowboy and the Squaw
Movie • 1910
Tom Ripley, a Cowboy
Broncho Billy and the Rattler
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Fence on 'Bar Z' Ranch
Movie • 1910
Robert Graham
The Ranch Girl's Legacy
Movie • 1910
Jack Tyler
Method in His Madness
Movie • 1910
Pedestrian with Seltzer Bottle
The Faithful Indian
Movie • 1911
Will Talbot
A Ranchman's Wooing
Movie • 1910
The Ranger's Bride
Movie • 1910
A Texas Ranger / The 'Bride'
The Girl and the Fugitive
Movie • 1910
Ross White
The Flower of the Ranch
Movie • 1910
Frank Wendell
The Mistaken Bandit
Movie • 1910
Innocent Cowboy
A Vein of Gold
Movie • 1910
Walt Rooney, Convict No. 999
The Cowboy's Sweetheart
Movie • 1910
Jesse Farson
The Bad Man and the Preacher
Movie • 1910
James Smyth
The Cowpuncher's Ward
Movie • 1910
The Sheriff's Sacrifice
Movie • 1910
The Brother, Sister and the Cowpuncher
Movie • 1910
Away Out West
Movie • 1910
A Dying Miner
The Bandit's Child
Movie • 1912
Tom Fleming
The Little Doctor of the Foothills
Movie • 1910
The Deputy's Love Affair
Movie • 1912
Bill Simpson
An Arizona Escapade
Movie • 1912
Barnes
The Indian and the Child
Movie • 1912
The Indian
A Road Agent's Love
Movie • 1912
Bob Farco
Under Mexican Skies
Movie • 1912
Pasquale
Broncho Billy and the Girl
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Bandits
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
The Greater Duty
Movie • 1922
Bill Hinchley
Red Blood and Yellow
Movie • 1919
Jack / Jim
The Two Fugitives
Movie • 1911
Jack Harvey
The Outlaw Samaritan
Movie • 1911
Jack Mason
The Redemption of Broncho Billy
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Cattle King's Daughter
Movie • 1912
Buck Brady
A Pal's Oath
Movie • 1911
Jack Manley
A Western Girl's Sacrifice
Movie • 1911
Spike Shannon
The Puncher's Law
Movie • 1911
Tom Patterson
Broncho Bill's Last Spree
Movie • 1911
Broncho Bill
The Millionaire and the Squatter
Movie • 1911
Silas Strong
Spike Shannon's Last Fight
Movie • 1911
Spike Shannon
An Indian's Sacrifice
Movie • 1911
Grey Deer
The Power of Good
Movie • 1911
Jim Reed - an Outlaw
Broncho Billy's Squareness
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Secret
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Town Hall, Tonight
Movie • 1911
Broncho Bill
The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine
Movie • 1911
Jim Logan
The Sheriff's Decision
Movie • 1911
Steve Jameson
The Stage Driver's Daughter
Movie • 1911
Tom Percival
A Western Redemption
Movie • 1911
Tom
Broncho Billy's Word of Honor
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
The Forester's Plea
Movie • 1911
Rev. Small
Broncho Billy's Teachings
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
The Bad Man's Last Deed
Movie • 1910
The Bad Man
Broncho Billy's Vengeance
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
The Bandit's Wife
Movie • 1910
The Ranchman's Feud
Movie • 1910
The Doctor
The Forest Ranger
Movie • 1910
Deputy Marshal Charles Wentworth
The Desperado
Movie • 1910
The New Sheriff
Under Western Skies
Movie • 1910
A Cowboy
The Unknown Claim
Movie • 1910
Bartwell
Trailed to the Hills
Movie • 1910
Harry Forsyth
The Girl on Triple X
Movie • 1910
Jack Hartley
The Count That Counted
Movie • 1910
The Dumb Half Breed's Defense
Movie • 1910
The Half-Breed
The Deputy's Love
Movie • 1910
Bob Dean
An Indian Girl's Love
Movie • 1910
Jack Sherwood
The Millionaire and the Ranch Girl
Movie • 1910
Milton Rodd
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmam's Sweetheart
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Pony Express Rider
Movie • 1910
Jim Allison
The Tout's Remembrance
Movie • 1910
Bullets Brown
He Met the Champion
Movie • 1910
The Referee
Broncho Billy's Strategy
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Patricia of the Plains
Movie • 1910
Dick Martin
The Bearded Bandit
Movie • 1910
Curt, the Sheriff
Broncho Billy's Brother
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
On El Monte Ranch
Movie • 1912
Jim Andrews - Foreman of the Ranch
The Dead Man's Claim
Movie • 1912
Jim Durkin
The Sheriff and His Man
Movie • 1912
The Arizona Kid
A Western Legacy
Movie • 1912
Walter Johnson
A Child of the Purple Sage
Movie • 1912
Bart Darrow
The Desert Sweetheart
Movie • 1912
Jim Morris
Western Hearts
Movie • 1912
Sam Hardy
Outwitting Papa
Movie • 1911
Tom Phelps
Broncho Billy and the Vigilante
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Gratitude
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Outlaw Deputy
Movie • 1911
Buck Stevens
The Girl Back East
Movie • 1911
Jack King
The Foreman's Cousin
Movie • 1912
Bob Knight
On the Cactus Trail
Movie • 1912
Jim Andrews
Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
A Story of Montana
Movie • 1912
Triggerless Jim Burrows
A Moonshiner's Heart
Movie • 1912
Tom Jackson
Broncho Billy's Pal
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Outwitted
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
An Indian Sunbeam
Movie • 1912
An Indian
Broncho Billy's Escapade
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy for Sheriff
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
The Ranchman's Trust
Movie • 1912
Bill Dunham - Ranch Foreman
The Ranch Girl's Trial
Movie • 1912
Dave Price
Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Western Girls
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy's Love Affair
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Last Deed
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Ward
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Promise
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Brother
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Reward for Broncho Billy
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Heart
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
An Indian's Friendship
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Maid
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Gun Play
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Influence on Broncho Billy
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Step-Sisters
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Sister
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Way
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Gratefulness
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Reason
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Crazy Prospector
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Grit
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Ranch Feud
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Tenderfoot Sheriff
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Accusation of Broncho Billy
Movie • 1913
The Man in the Cabin
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Express Rider
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
A Western Sister's Devotion
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Oath
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Struggle
Movie • 1913
Dr. Sharp
The Redeemed Claim
Movie • 1913
Mr. Orr, a Government Assayist
His Regeneration
Movie • 1915
The Regenerate
Broncho Billy Gets Square
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
The Wheels of Safety
Movie • 1913
Dr. Sharp
The New Schoolmarm of Green River
Movie • 1913
The Sheriff
The Three Gamblers
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
A Night on the Road
Movie • 1914
Rough Neck
Snakeville's New Doctor
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Trapped
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Rewarded
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Calling of Jim Barton
Movie • 1914
Jim Barton
Broncho Billy -- Favorite
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Mother
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Mission
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy -- Gun-Man
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Scheme
Movie • 1914
Broocho Billy
Broncho Billy's Sermon
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Decision
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Close Call
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Leap
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Duty
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Cunning
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Red Riding Hood of the Hills
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Jealousy
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy, Outlaw
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Punishment
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Tie That Binds
Movie • 1915
The Husband
The Other Girl
Movie • 1915
The Artist
The Revenue Agent
Movie • 1915
Tom
Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
The Wealth of the Poor
Movie • 1915
The Husband
The Bachelor's Burglar
Movie • 1915
The Bachelor
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Puts One Over
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Gambler
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Judgment
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Double Escape
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Tell-Tale Hand
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Squatter's Gal
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Western Way
Movie • 1915
The Outlaw
The Outlaw's Awakening
Movie • 1915
The Outlaw
When Love and Honor Called
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Andy of the Royal Mounted
Movie • 1915
Andy of the Royal Mounted
Broncho Billy Wins Out
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
His Wife's Secret
Movie • 1915
The Burglar
The Face at the Curtain
Movie • 1915
The Burglar
Broncho Billy's Wild Ride
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Indian Romance
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy, the Vagabond
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Butts In
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Her Realization
Movie • 1915
The Sweetheart
The Bachelor's Baby
Movie • 1915
The Bachelor
Broncho Billy's Protégé
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
The Little Prospector
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Marriage
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Her Return
Movie • 1915
The Husband
Broncho Billy Steps In
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
An Unexpected Romance
Movie • 1915
The Landowner
Broncho Billy Begins Life Anew
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Lumber King
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
The Convict's Threat
Movie • 1915
The Convict
Broncho Billy's Parents
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy, Sheepman
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Misled
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Suppressed Evidence
Movie • 1915
The Husband
Broncho Billy Evens Matters
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Wine, Women and Song
Movie • 1915
The Young Man
Too Much Turkey
Movie • 1915
Frank Potter
The Indian's Narrow Escape
Movie • 1915
The Indian
Broncho Billy's Love Affair
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
The Escape of Broncho Billy
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Her Lesson
Movie • 1916
The Capitalist
A Christmas Revenge
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy / Santa Claus
The Book Agent's Romance
Movie • 1916
The Book Agent
The Man in Him
Movie • 1916
John Stone
Humanity
Movie • 1917
Broncho Billy Adair
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Movie • 1961
Self (archive footage)
Stars of Yesterday
Movie • 1931
Self
Life with Henry
Movie • 1941
Business Man (uncredited)
The Good-for-Nothing
Movie • 1914
Gilbert Sterling
Broncho Billy's Sentence
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Greaser
Movie • 1914
Broncho Billy
The Son-of-a-Gun
Movie • 1919
Bill
The Making of Broncho Billy
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Baby
Movie • 1915
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Rustler's Child
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
A Wife of the Hills
Movie • 1912
Bart McGrew
The Cowboy Coward
Movie • 1911
Steve
What Happened in the Tunnel
Movie • 1903
Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner
Movie • 1911
Broncho Billy
The Train Wreckers
Movie • 1905
Last Train Wrecker
Broncho Billy's Redemption
Movie • 1910
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Capture
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Movie • 1905
Sherlock Holmes
The Film Parade
Movie • 1933
(archive footage) (uncredited)
The Movies March On
Movie • 1939
Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)
Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay
Movie • 2017
Self (archive footage)
The Bandit King
Movie • 1907
Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Western Girls
Movie • 1913
Broncho Billy
Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy
Movie • 1912
Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Adventure
Movie • 1911
Broncho Billy
Shootin' Mad
Movie • 1918
Broncho Billy
The Champion
Movie • 1915
Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)
Western Justice
Movie • 1907
Bronco Billy
The Western: A Lost TV Special
Movie • 1958
Self