Gilbert M. Anderson's photo

Gilbert M. Anderson

Born: 1880-03-20 in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Died: 1971-01-20

Known For: Directing

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

2017

2000

1980

1965

1961

1941

1939

1933

1931

1923

1922

1921

1919

1918

1917

1916

1915

1914

1913

1912

1911

1910

1907

1905

1903