Directing · b. 1880 · Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

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 pi...

Directed
The Pest 1922 Ashes 1922 The Weak-End Party 1922 The Son-of-a-Gun 1919 Red Blood and Yellow 1919 Humanity 1917 Vera, the Medium 1917 The Book Agent's Romance 1916 Her Lesson 1916 The Man in Him 1916 His Regeneration 1915 Broncho Billy's Sentence 1915 Ingomar of the Hills 1915 Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers 1915 Broncho Billy and the Sisters 1915 Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy 1915 Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit 1915 Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother 1915 Broncho Billy and the False Note 1915 Broncho Billy Well Repaid 1915 Broncho Billy's Word of Honor 1915 Broncho Billy's Teachings 1915 Broncho Billy's Vengeance 1915 When Love and Honor Called 1915 His Wife's Secret 1915 The Face at the Curtain 1915 The Western Way 1915 The Outlaw's Awakening 1915 Andy of the Royal Mounted 1915 Broncho Billy's Brother 1915 Broncho Billy and the Vigilante 1915 The Tie That Binds 1915 The Other Girl 1915 The Wealth of the Poor 1915 Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber 1915 The Bachelor's Burglar 1915 The Revenue Agent 1915 The Bachelor's Baby 1915 The Little Prospector 1915 Her Realization 1915 Broncho Billy's Protégé 1915 Broncho Billy Steps In 1915 Broncho Billy Begins Life Anew 1915 Broncho Billy's Marriage 1915 Her Return 1915 An Unexpected Romance 1915 Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp 1915 Broncho Billy and the Lumber King 1915 The Convict's Threat 1915 Broncho Billy Misled 1915 Broncho Billy, Sheepman 1915 Suppressed Evidence 1915 Broncho Billy Evens Matters 1915 Broncho Billy's Parents 1915 Wine, Women and Song 1915 The Indian's Narrow Escape 1915 Too Much Turkey 1915 Broncho Billy's Love Affair 1915 The Escape of Broncho Billy 1915 A Christmas Revenge 1915 Broncho Billy and the Baby 1915 The Good-for-Nothing 1914 Broncho Billy and the Greaser 1914 Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke 1914 Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit 1914 Broncho Billy's Dad 1914 Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office 1914 Broncho Billy and the Settler's Daughter 1914 Broncho Billy and the Rattler 1914 The Treachery of Broncho Billy's Pal 1914 Broncho Billy's True Love 1914 The Inference of Broncho Billy 1914 Broncho Billy and the Red Man 1914 Broncho Billy and the Bad Man 1914 Broncho Billy-Guardian 1914 Broncho Billy's Decision 1914 The Redemption of Broncho Billy 1914 Snakeville's New Doctor 1914 Broncho Billy's Judgment 1914 The Tell-Tale Hand 1914 Broncho Billy's Double Escape 1914 The Calling of Jim Barton 1914 Broncho Billy -- Gun-Man 1914 Broncho Billy's Close Call 1914 Red Riding Hood of the Hills 1914 Broncho Billy's Leap 1914 Broncho Billy's Sermon 1914 Broncho Billy's Cunning 1914 Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark 1914 Broncho Billy's Duty 1914 Broncho Billy's Punishment 1914 Broncho Billy, Outlaw 1914 Broncho Billy's Jealousy 1914 Broncho Billy and the Sheriff 1914 Broncho Billy Puts One Over 1914 Broncho Billy and the Gambler 1914 The Squatter's Gal 1914 Broncho Billy's Wild Ride 1914 Broncho Billy Wins Out 1914 Broncho Billy, the Vagabond 1914 Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need 1914 Broncho Billy Butts In 1914 Broncho Billy's Indian Romance 1914 The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart 1914 Broncho Billy Trapped 1914 Broncho Billy Rewarded 1914 Broncho Billy -- Favorite 1914 Broncho Billy's Mother 1914 Broncho Billy's Scheme 1914 Broncho Billy's Mission 1914 Broncho Billy and the Western Girls 1913 The Making of Broncho Billy 1913 Broncho Billy's Conscience 1913 Alkali Ike and the Wildman 1913 Broncho Billy and the Outlaw's Mother 1913 Broncho Billy's Christmas Deed 1913 Broncho Billy's First Arrest 1913 The Doctor's Duty 1913 Broncho Billy's Elopement 1913 Broncho Billy Reforms 1913 Broncho Billy's Mistake 1913 Broncho Billy and the Navajo Maid 1913 Broncho Billy and the Schoolmam's Sweetheart 1913 Broncho Billy's Strategy 1913 Broncho Billy's Gratefulness 1913 Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter 1913 Broncho Billy and the Step-Sisters 1913 The Influence on Broncho Billy 1913 Broncho Billy's Sister 1913 Broncho Billy's Way 1913 Broncho Billy's Reason 1913 Alkali Ike's Mother-in-Law 1913 The Accusation of Broncho Billy 1913 Alkali Ike's Homecoming 1913 The Crazy Prospector 1913 Alkali Ike's Misfortunes 1913 The Ranch Feud 1913 Broncho Billy's Grit 1913 Alkali Ike and the Hypnotist 1913 Broncho Billy and the Express Rider 1913 The Tenderfoot Sheriff 1913 The Redeemed Claim 1913 A Western Sister's Devotion 1913 The Struggle 1913 The Man in the Cabin 1913 Broncho Billy's Oath 1913 The Wheels of Safety 1913 Broncho Billy Gets Square 1913 The Three Gamblers 1913 The New Schoolmarm of Green River 1913 Sophie's New Foreman 1913 Broncho Billy's Squareness 1913 Broncho Billy's Secret 1913 Broncho Billy and the Maid 1913 Broncho Billy's Gun Play 1913 Broncho Billy's Brother 1913 Broncho Billy's Last Deed 1913 Broncho Billy's Ward 1913 Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid 1913 Broncho Billy and the Rustler's Child 1913 Broncho Billy's Capture 1913 Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County 1913 Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape 1912 Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress 1912 Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy 1912 Alkali Ike's Pants 1912 The Tenderfoot Foreman 1912 Widow Jenkins' Admirers 1912 The Sheepman's Escape 1912 The Prospector's Legacy 1912 The Deputy and the Girl 1912 The Oath of His Office 1912 Alkali Ike's Love Affair 1912 The Biter Bitten 1912 Broncho Billy's Bible 1912 The Ranch Girl's Mistake 1912 A Western Kimona 1912 The Smuggler's Daughter 1912 A Ranch Widower's Daughters 1912 An Arizona Escapade 1912 Broncho Billy and the Girl 1912 A Road Agent's Love 1912 The Deputy's Love Affair 1912 The Bandit's Child 1912 Under Mexican Skies 1912 Alkali Ike's Boarding House 1912 The Indian and the Child 1912 Broncho Billy and the Bandits 1912 The Cattle King's Daughter 1912 The Dead Man's Claim 1912 The Sheriff and His Man 1912 Alkali Ike's Bride 1912 On El Monte Ranch 1912 A Western Legacy 1912 The Desert Sweetheart 1912 A Child of the Purple Sage 1912 Western Hearts 1912 Broncho Billy's Gratitude 1912 The Foreman's Cousin 1912 A Story of Montana 1912 On the Cactus Trail 1912 A Moonshiner's Heart 1912 Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid 1912 Broncho Billy's Pal 1912 Broncho Billy's Escapade 1912 Broncho Billy for Sheriff 1912 Broncho Billy Outwitted 1912 Alkali Ike's Motorcycle 1912 An Indian Sunbeam 1912 Alkali Ike Plays the Devil 1912 The Ranchman's Trust 1912 The Ranch Girl's Trial 1912 Alkali Ike Stung! 1912 A Child of the West 1912 Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife 1912 Broncho Billy's Heart 1912 Broncho Billy's Love Affair 1912 An Indian's Friendship 1912 Alkali Ike's Close Shave 1912 Western Girls 1912 Broncho Billy's Promise 1912 The Reward for Broncho Billy 1912 A Wife of the Hills 1912 Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up 1912 The Tomboy on Bar Z 1912 Alkali Ike's Auto 1911 Broncho Billy's Adventure 1911 The Faithful Indian 1911 The Count and the Cowboys 1911 The Border Ranger 1911 The Two Reformations 1911 Carmenita the Faithful 1911 The Cattleman's Daughter 1911 Hank and Lank: They Make a Mash 1911 The Bad Man's Downfall 1911 The Outlaw and the Child 1911 The Romance on 'Bar O' 1911 Across the Plains 1911 The Bunco Game at Lizardhead 1911 Forgiven in Death 1911 The Tribe's Penalty 1911 The Indian Maiden's Lesson 1911 The Lucky Card 1911 The Infant at Snakeville 1911 The Bad Man's First Prayer 1911 What a Woman Can Do 1911 The Sheriff's Chum 1911 The Puncher's New Love 1911 The Hidden Mine 1911 The Corporation and the Ranch Girl 1911 A Hungry Pair 1911 At the Break of Dawn 1911 The Backwoodsman's Suspicion 1911 The Outlaw Samaritan 1911 The Two Fugitives 1911 A Pal's Oath 1911 A Western Girl's Sacrifice 1911 Broncho Bill's Last Spree 1911 Spike Shannon's Last Fight 1911 The Puncher's Law 1911 An Indian's Sacrifice 1911 The Millionaire and the Squatter 1911 The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine 1911 The Power of Good 1911 The Sheriff's Decision 1911 Town Hall, Tonight 1911 A Western Redemption 1911 The Stage Driver's Daughter 1911 The Forester's Plea 1911 Outlaw Deputy 1911 Outwitting Papa 1911 The Girl Back East 1911 Hubby's Scheme 1911 Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner 1911 The Cowboy Coward 1911 A Western Maid 1910 Won by a Hold-Up 1910 Electric Insoles 1910 Flower Parade at Pasadena, California 1910 Western Chivalry 1910 The Cowboy and the Squaw 1910 The Outlaw's Sacrifice 1910 The Ranger's Bride 1910 The Bad Man and the Preacher 1910 The Girl and the Fugitive 1910 Method in His Madness 1910 The Fence on 'Bar Z' Ranch 1910 The Ranch Girl's Legacy 1910 The Ostrich and the Lady 1910 A Ranchman's Wooing 1910 The Cowboy's Sweetheart 1910 A Vein of Gold 1910 The Sheriff's Sacrifice 1910 The Flower of the Ranch 1910 The Mistaken Bandit 1910 The Cowpuncher's Ward 1910 The Little Doctor of the Foothills 1910 Away Out West 1910 The Brother, Sister and the Cowpuncher 1910 The Ranchman's Feud 1910 The Bad Man's Last Deed 1910 Trailed to the Hills 1910 The Forest Ranger 1910 The Unknown Claim 1910 The Bandit's Wife 1910 The Desperado 1910 Under Western Skies 1910 The Girl on Triple X 1910 The Count That Counted 1910 The Dumb Half Breed's Defense 1910 The Deputy's Love 1910 Take Me Out to the Ball Game 1910 The Tout's Remembrance 1910 Hank and Lank: They Dude Up Some 1910 Hank and Lank: Joyriding 1910 The Pony Express Rider 1910 A Dog on Business 1910 A Close Shave 1910 An Indian Girl's Love 1910 A Flirty Affliction 1910 The Millionaire and the Ranch Girl 1910 He Met the Champion 1910 Patricia of the Plains 1910 The Bearded Bandit 1910 Curing a Masher 1910 Hank and Lank: Lifesavers 1910 A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law 1910 A Westerner's Way 1910 Pals of the Range 1910 Hank and Lank: Uninvited Guests 1910 The Marked Trail 1910 Hank and Lank: They Get Wise to a New Scheme 1910 The Silent Message 1910 The Masquerade Cop 1910 The Little Prospector 1910 A Western Woman's Way 1910 A Cowboy's Vindication 1910 Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present 1910 The Bad Man's Christmas Gift 1910 The Tenderfoot Messenger 1910 Hank and Lank: Blind Men 1910 Trail to the West 1910 Hank and Lank: As Sandwich Men 1910 A Gambler of the West 1910 The Mexican's Faith 1910 Broncho Billy's Redemption 1910 The Haunted Lounge 1909 Mr. Flip 1909 The Neighbors' Kids 1909 Shanghaied 1909 The Road Agents 1909 Tag Day 1909 Judgment 1909 A Tale of the West 1909 A Mexican's Gratitude 1909 The Black Sheep 1909 The Ranchman's Rival 1909 His Reformation 1909 The Spanish Girl 1909 A Maid of the Mountains 1909 The Indian Trailer 1909 Ten Nights in a Bar-Room 1909 The Heart of a Cowboy 1909 The Best Man Wins 1909 The Baseball Fan 1908 The Bandit Makes Good 1908 James Boys in Missouri 1908 The Escape of the Ape 1908 A Disastrous Flirtation 1908 The Bandit King 1907 An Awful Skate; or, The Hobo on Rollers 1907 His First Ride 1907 The Dancing Nig 1907 The Girl from Montana 1907 Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman 1905
Acting
Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay Self (archive footage) 2017 Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs (archive footage) 2000 The Bounty Killer The Man in the Cantina 1965 The Legend of Rudolph Valentino Self (archive footage) 1961 The Western: A Lost TV Special Self 1958 Life with Henry Business Man (uncredited) 1941 The Movies March On Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage) 1939 The Film Parade (archive footage) (uncredited) 1933 Stars of Yesterday Self 1931 The Champion Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited) 1915 A Night on the Road Rough Neck 1914 The Train Wreckers Last Train Wrecker 1905 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes 1905 Western Stage Coach Hold Up 1904 The Messenger Boy's Mistake Cholly 1903 What Happened in the Tunnel 1903
Other Credits
The Soilers Producer 1923 The Handy Man Producer 1923 When Knights Were Cold Producer 1923 Mud and Sand Producer 1922 The Egg Producer 1922 The Greater Duty Producer 1922 The Lucky Dog Producer 1921 Shootin' Mad Producer 1918 Graustark Second Unit Director 1915 A Change in Baggage Checks Producer 1914 A Snakeville Courtship Writer 1913 The Life of an American Cowboy Writer 1906 The Great Train Robbery Assistant Director 1903
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