Gilbert M. Anderson
DirectingAlso Known As
Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson, G. M. Anderson, G.M. Anderson, Gilbert Anderson, Bronco Billy 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.
Movies
(342 total)
The Great Train Robbery
as Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
The Champion
as Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)
His Regeneration
as The Regenerate
The Bounty Killer
as The Man in the Cantina
The Messenger Boy's Mistake
as Cholly
The Train Wreckers
as Last Train Wrecker
Broncho Billy and the Greaser
as Broncho Billy
A Wife of the Hills
as Bart McGrew
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress
as Broncho Billy
The Cowboy Coward
as Steve
Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the False Note
as Broncho Billy
Life with Henry
as Business Man (uncredited)
The Good-for-Nothing
as Gilbert Sterling
Broncho Billy's Sentence
as Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke
as Broncho Billy