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

The Great Train Robbery

The Bounty Killer

The Champion

The Legend of Rudolph Valentino

His Regeneration

Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs

Broncho Billy and the Vigilante

The Western: A Lost TV Special

All Movies (341)

• Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay2017 · as Self (archive footage)
• Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs2000 · as (archive footage)
• The Bounty Killer1965 · as The Man in the Cantina
• The Legend of Rudolph Valentino1961 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Western: A Lost TV Special1958 · as Self
• Life with Henry1941 · as Business Man (uncredited)
• The Movies March On1939 · as Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)
• The Film Parade1933 · as (archive footage) (uncredited)
• Stars of Yesterday1931 · as Self
• The Greater Duty1922 · as Bill Hinchley
• The Son-of-a-Gun1919 · as Bill
• Red Blood and Yellow1919 · as Jack / Jim
• Shootin' Mad1918 · as Broncho Billy
• Humanity1917 · as Broncho Billy Adair
• The Man in Him1916 · as John Stone
• The Book Agent's Romance1916 · as The Book Agent
• Her Lesson1916 · as The Capitalist
• A Christmas Revenge1915 · as Broncho Billy / Santa Claus
• Broncho Billy's Love Affair1915 · as Broncho Billy
• The Indian's Narrow Escape1915 · as The Indian
• The Escape of Broncho Billy1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Wine, Women and Song1915 · as The Young Man
• Too Much Turkey1915 · as Frank Potter
• Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy Evens Matters1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Parents1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Suppressed Evidence1915 · as The Husband
• Broncho Billy, Sheepman1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy Misled1915 · as Broncho Billy
• The Convict's Threat1915 · as The Convict
• An Unexpected Romance1915 · as The Landowner
• Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Lumber King1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy Begins Life Anew1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Her Return1915 · as The Husband
• Broncho Billy's Marriage1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy Steps In1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Protégé1915 · as Broncho Billy
• The Bachelor's Baby1915 · as The Bachelor
• Broncho Billy Well Repaid1915 · as Broncho Billy
• The Little Prospector1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Her Realization1915 · as The Sweetheart
• Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber1915 · as Broncho Billy
• The Wealth of the Poor1915 · as The Husband
• Broncho Billy's Word of Honor1915 · as Broncho Billy
• The Bachelor's Burglar1915 · as The Bachelor
• The Revenue Agent1915 · as Tom
• The Other Girl1915 · as The Artist
• Broncho Billy's Teachings1915 · as Broncho Billy
• His Regeneration1915 · as The Regenerate
• The Tie That Binds1915 · as The Husband
• His Wife's Secret1915 · as The Burglar
• The Face at the Curtain1915 · as The Burglar
• Andy of the Royal Mounted1915 · as Andy of the Royal Mounted
• Ingomar of the Hills1915 · as Ingomar
• The Outlaw's Awakening1915 · as The Outlaw
• The Western Way1915 · as The Outlaw
• The Champion1915 · as Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)
• Broncho Billy's Vengeance1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Brother1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Vigilante1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Sentence1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the False Note1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Baby1915 · as Broncho Billy
• When Love and Honor Called1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Sisters1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit1915 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Dad1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Judgment1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Double Escape1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Scheme1914 · as Broocho Billy
• The Tell-Tale Hand1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Decision1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Mission1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Mother1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy -- Favorite1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy Rewarded1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Greaser1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy Trapped1914 · as Broncho Billy
• The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy Butts In1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy, the Vagabond1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Indian Romance1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Wild Ride1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy Wins Out1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke1914 · as Broncho Billy
• The Squatter's Gal1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Gambler1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy Puts One Over1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Sheriff1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Punishment1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Jealousy1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy, Outlaw1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark1914 · as Broncho Billy
• The Good-for-Nothing1914 · as Gilbert Sterling
• Broncho Billy's Duty1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Red Riding Hood of the Hills1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Leap1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Sermon1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Close Call1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy -- Gun-Man1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Rattler1914 · as Broncho Billy
• The Treachery of Broncho Billy's Pal1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Cunning1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's True Love1914 · as Broncho Billy
• The Inference of Broncho Billy1914 · as Broncho Billy
• The Calling of Jim Barton1914 · as Jim Barton
• Broncho Billy and the Settler's Daughter1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Red Man1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Bad Man1914 · as Broncho Billy
• A Night on the Road1914 · as Rough Neck
• Broncho Billy-Guardian1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Snakeville's New Doctor1914 · as Broncho Billy
• The Redemption of Broncho Billy1914 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Christmas Deed1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Three Gamblers1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Squareness1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's First Arrest1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The New Schoolmarm of Green River1913 · as The Sheriff
• The Wheels of Safety1913 · as Dr. Sharp
• Broncho Billy's Secret1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Doctor's Duty1913 · as Dr. Roland White
• Broncho Billy's Elopement1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy Gets Square1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Oath1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Struggle1913 · as Dr. Sharp
• Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Redeemed Claim1913 · as Mr. Orr, a Government Assayist
• Broncho Billy Reforms1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Conscience1913 · as Broncho Billy
• A Western Sister's Devotion1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Mistake1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Man in the Cabin1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Navajo Maid1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Tenderfoot Sheriff1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Schoolmam's Sweetheart1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Western Girls1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Strategy1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Ranch Feud1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Capture1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Express Rider1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Grit1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Crazy Prospector1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Rustler's Child1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Accusation of Broncho Billy1913
• Broncho Billy's Reason1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Way1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Gratefulness1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Sister1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Step-Sisters1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Influence on Broncho Billy1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Last Deed1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Ward1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Making of Broncho Billy1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Gun Play1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Brother1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Outlaw's Mother1913 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy and the Maid1913 · as Broncho Billy
• The Reward for Broncho Billy1912 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Promise1912 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Love Affair1912 · as Broncho Billy
• Western Girls1912
• Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife1912 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Heart1912 · as Broncho Billy
• An Indian's Friendship1912 · as Broncho Billy
• The Ranch Girl's Trial1912 · as Dave Price
• The Tomboy on Bar Z1912
• An Indian Sunbeam1912 · as An Indian
• Broncho Billy Outwitted1912 · as Broncho Billy
• The Tenderfoot Foreman1912 · as Jack Reed
• The Ranchman's Trust1912 · as Bill Dunham - Ranch Foreman
• Broncho Billy for Sheriff1912 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Escapade1912 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up1912 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Pal1912 · as Broncho Billy
• A Wife of the Hills1912 · as Bart McGrew
• The Smuggler's Daughter1912 · as Brant Graham
• A Story of Montana1912 · as Triggerless Jim Burrows
• Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape1912 · as Broncho Billy
• On the Cactus Trail1912 · as Jim Andrews
• Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid1912 · as Broncho Billy
• A Moonshiner's Heart1912 · as Tom Jackson
• The Foreman's Cousin1912 · as Bob Knight
• Broncho Billy's Gratitude1912 · as Broncho Billy
• Western Hearts1912 · as Sam Hardy
• A Child of the Purple Sage1912 · as Bart Darrow
• On El Monte Ranch1912 · as Jim Andrews - Foreman of the Ranch
• Broncho Billy's Bible1912 · as Broncho Billy
• The Desert Sweetheart1912 · as Jim Morris
• A Western Legacy1912 · as Walter Johnson
• The Sheriff and His Man1912 · as The Arizona Kid
• The Dead Man's Claim1912 · as Jim Durkin
• Broncho Billy and the Bandits1912 · as Broncho Billy
• The Indian and the Child1912 · as The Indian
• The Cattle King's Daughter1912 · as Buck Brady
• Under Mexican Skies1912 · as Pasquale
• Broncho Billy and the Girl1912 · as Broncho Billy
• A Road Agent's Love1912 · as Bob Farco
• An Arizona Escapade1912 · as Barnes
• Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy1912 · as Broncho Billy
• The Deputy's Love Affair1912 · as Bill Simpson
• The Bandit's Child1912 · as Tom Fleming
• The Ranch Girl's Mistake1912 · as Broncho Billy
• The Deputy and the Girl1912 · as The Deputy
• Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress1912 · as Broncho Billy
• The Oath of His Office1912 · as Bob Graham
• The Sheepman's Escape1912 · as Tom Harper
• A Child of the West1912
• Broncho Billy's Adventure1911 · as Broncho Billy
• Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner1911 · as Broncho Billy
• The Cowboy Coward1911 · as Steve
• Hubby's Scheme1911 · as One of Hubby's Friends
• The Girl Back East1911 · as Jack King
• Outlaw Deputy1911 · as Buck Stevens
• Outwitting Papa1911 · as Tom Phelps
• The Forester's Plea1911 · as Rev. Small
• A Western Redemption1911 · as Tom
• The Stage Driver's Daughter1911 · as Tom Percival
• Town Hall, Tonight1911 · as Broncho Bill
• The Sheriff's Decision1911 · as Steve Jameson
• The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine1911 · as Jim Logan
• The Power of Good1911 · as Jim Reed - an Outlaw
• An Indian's Sacrifice1911 · as Grey Deer
• The Millionaire and the Squatter1911 · as Silas Strong
• The Puncher's Law1911 · as Tom Patterson
• Broncho Bill's Last Spree1911 · as Broncho Bill
• A Western Girl's Sacrifice1911 · as Spike Shannon
• Spike Shannon's Last Fight1911 · as Spike Shannon
• A Pal's Oath1911 · as Jack Manley
• The Two Fugitives1911 · as Jack Harvey
• The Outlaw Samaritan1911 · as Jack Mason
• The Backwoodsman's Suspicion1911 · as Walker - the Backwoodsman
• The Corporation and the Ranch Girl1911 · as Gerald Todds
• At the Break of Dawn1911 · as Gilbert Randall
• The Tribe's Penalty1911 · as Gray Wolf
• Forgiven in Death1911 · as Jack
• The Infant at Snakeville1911 · as Broncho Billy
• The Lucky Card1911 · as George Maxwell
• The Puncher's New Love1911 · as Harvey Barton
• The Bunco Game at Lizardhead1911
• What a Woman Can Do1911 · as Frank Mills
• The Indian Maiden's Lesson1911 · as Revered Warren Addington
• The Bad Man's First Prayer1911 · as Bad Man Dan Quigley
• Across the Plains1911 · as The Cowboy
• The Sheriff's Chum1911 · as Sheriff Will Phelps
• The Faithful Indian1911 · as Will Talbot
• The Romance on 'Bar O'1911 · as Sherwin Wells
• The Cattleman's Daughter1911 · as Frank Carpenter
• The Outlaw and the Child1911 · as Dan Warrington
• The Bad Man's Downfall1911 · as Harry Perkins
• Carmenita the Faithful1911
• The Two Reformations1911
• The Border Ranger1911 · as The Border Ranger
• The Count and the Cowboys1911
• A Gambler of the West1910 · as Halsted
• The Bad Man's Christmas Gift1910 · as Andy Carson
• The Tenderfoot Messenger1910
• A Cowboy's Vindication1910 · as Frank Morrison
• Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present1910
• The Little Prospector1910 · as Hal Martin
• The Marked Trail1910 · as The Doctor
• A Westerner's Way1910 · as Big Bill Hastings
• The Silent Message1910 · as Cal Evans
• Pals of the Range1910 · as Jack Smythe
• A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law1910 · as Pete the Coyote
• The Bearded Bandit1910 · as Curt, the Sheriff
• Patricia of the Plains1910 · as Dick Martin
• The Tout's Remembrance1910 · as Bullets Brown
• The Pony Express Rider1910 · as Jim Allison
• He Met the Champion1910 · as The Referee
• An Indian Girl's Love1910 · as Jack Sherwood
• The Millionaire and the Ranch Girl1910 · as Milton Rodd
• The Deputy's Love1910 · as Bob Dean
• The Dumb Half Breed's Defense1910 · as The Half-Breed
• The Count That Counted1910
• The Girl on Triple X1910 · as Jack Hartley
• Under Western Skies1910 · as A Cowboy
• Broncho Billy's Redemption1910 · as Broncho Billy
• The Desperado1910 · as The New Sheriff
• Trailed to the Hills1910 · as Harry Forsyth
• The Unknown Claim1910 · as Bartwell
• The Bad Man's Last Deed1910 · as The Bad Man
• The Forest Ranger1910 · as Deputy Marshal Charles Wentworth
• The Bandit's Wife1910
• The Ranchman's Feud1910 · as The Doctor
• Away Out West1910 · as A Dying Miner
• The Brother, Sister and the Cowpuncher1910
• The Little Doctor of the Foothills1910
• The Cowpuncher's Ward1910
• The Sheriff's Sacrifice1910
• A Vein of Gold1910 · as Walt Rooney, Convict No. 999
• The Cowboy's Sweetheart1910 · as Jesse Farson
• The Mistaken Bandit1910 · as Innocent Cowboy
• The Bad Man and the Preacher1910 · as James Smyth
• The Ranger's Bride1910 · as A Texas Ranger / The 'Bride'
• The Flower of the Ranch1910 · as Frank Wendell
• A Ranchman's Wooing1910
• The Girl and the Fugitive1910 · as Ross White
• Method in His Madness1910 · as Pedestrian with Seltzer Bottle
• The Fence on 'Bar Z' Ranch1910 · as Robert Graham
• The Ranch Girl's Legacy1910 · as Jack Tyler
• The Mexican's Faith1910 · as The Mexican
• The Cowboy and the Squaw1910 · as Tom Ripley, a Cowboy
• Western Chivalry1910
• The Outlaw's Sacrifice1910
• Won by a Hold-Up1910 · as Old Rancher
• Electric Insoles1910
• Trail to the West1910
• A Western Maid1910
• The Heart of a Cowboy1909 · as Honest Steve
• The Spanish Girl1909 · as Tom 'Bud' Wilson
• The Ranchman's Rival1909 · as Jim Watson
• His Reformation1909 · as Tom Carlton
• Judgment1909
• The Best Man Wins1909
• A Maid of the Mountains1909
• The Black Sheep1909
• Ten Nights in a Bar-Room1909
• The Indian Trailer1909
• A Mexican's Gratitude1909 · as The Sheriff
• A Tale of the West1909
• The Road Agents1909
• Shanghaied1909
• Tag Day1909
• The Bandit Makes Good1908
• The Baseball Fan1908
• The Bandit King1907
• The Life of an American Cowboy1906
• The Train Wreckers1905 · as Last Train Wrecker
• Adventures of Sherlock Holmes1905 · as Sherlock Holmes
• Western Stage Coach Hold Up1904
• The Great Train Robbery1903 · as Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
• What Happened in the Tunnel1903
• The Messenger Boy's Mistake1903 · as Cholly