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
- Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay as Self (archive footage)
2000
- Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs as (archive footage)
1965
- The Bounty Killer as The Man in the Cantina
1961
- The Legend of Rudolph Valentino as Self (archive footage)
1958
- The Western: A Lost TV Special as Self
1941
- Life with Henry as Business Man (uncredited)
1939
- The Movies March On as Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)
1933
- The Film Parade as (archive footage) (uncredited)
1931
- Stars of Yesterday as Self
1923
- When Knights Were Cold ... (Producer)
- The Soilers ... (Producer)
- The Handy Man ... (Producer)
1922
- Mud and Sand ... (Producer)
- The Pest ... (Producer)
- The Egg ... (Producer)
- The Weak-End Party ... (Director)
- Ashes ... (Director)
- The Greater Duty as Bill Hinchley
1921
- The Lucky Dog ... (Producer)
1919
- The Son-of-a-Gun as Bill
- Red Blood and Yellow as Jack / Jim
1918
- Shootin' Mad as Broncho Billy
1917
- Vera, the Medium ... (Director)
- Humanity as Broncho Billy Adair
1916
- The Book Agent's Romance as The Book Agent
- Her Lesson as The Capitalist
- The Man in Him as John Stone
1915
- His Regeneration as The Regenerate
- The Champion as Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)
- Broncho Billy Steps In as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Well Repaid as Broncho Billy
- When Love and Honor Called as Broncho Billy
- The Bachelor's Burglar as The Bachelor
- Broncho Billy, Sheepman as Broncho Billy
- Too Much Turkey as Frank Potter
- Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber as Broncho Billy
- A Christmas Revenge as Broncho Billy / Santa Claus
- Graustark ... (Second Unit Director)
- Broncho Billy's Teachings as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Love Affair as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Protégé as Broncho Billy
- Andy of the Royal Mounted as Andy of the Royal Mounted
- The Escape of Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Lumber King as Broncho Billy
- The Face at the Curtain as The Burglar
- Wine, Women and Song as The Young Man
- The Bachelor's Baby as The Bachelor
- His Wife's Secret as The Burglar
- The Convict's Threat as The Convict
- Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Baby as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the False Note as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Brother as Broncho Billy
- Ingomar of the Hills as Ingomar
- Broncho Billy's Word of Honor as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Evens Matters as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Sentence as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Parents as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Vigilante as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Misled as Broncho Billy
- The Tie That Binds as The Husband
- Her Realization as The Sweetheart
- Broncho Billy Begins Life Anew as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Vengeance as Broncho Billy
- The Other Girl as The Artist
- Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy as Broncho Billy
- The Outlaw's Awakening as The Outlaw
- Broncho Billy's Marriage as Broncho Billy
- The Revenue Agent as Tom
- The Indian's Narrow Escape as The Indian
- The Wealth of the Poor as The Husband
- Broncho Billy and the Sisters as Broncho Billy
- The Little Prospector as Broncho Billy
- Her Return as The Husband
- An Unexpected Romance as The Landowner
- The Western Way as The Outlaw
- Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit as Broncho Billy
- Suppressed Evidence as The Husband
- Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp as Broncho Billy
1914
- The Redemption of Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- Red Riding Hood of the Hills as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy -- Gun-Man as Broncho Billy
- A Night on the Road as Rough Neck
- Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Indian Romance as Broncho Billy
- A Change in Baggage Checks ... (Producer)
- The Calling of Jim Barton as Jim Barton
- Broncho Billy's Punishment as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Wins Out as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Butts In as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Sheriff as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Wild Ride as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Rattler as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Sermon as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Bad Man as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Decision as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Dad as Broncho Billy
- The Good-for-Nothing as Gilbert Sterling
- Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Duty as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Leap as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Close Call as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Gambler as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Rewarded as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Mission as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Greaser as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Cunning as Broncho Billy
- The Treachery of Broncho Billy's Pal as Broncho Billy
- The Tell-Tale Hand as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Puts One Over as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Trapped as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy -- Favorite as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Judgment as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Mother as Broncho Billy
- Snakeville's New Doctor as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy-Guardian as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy, Outlaw as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Jealousy as Broncho Billy
- The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Double Escape as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office as Broncho Billy
- The Inference of Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- The Squatter's Gal as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Red Man as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's True Love as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Settler's Daughter as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy, the Vagabond as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Scheme as Broocho Billy
1913
- Alkali Ike and the Hypnotist ... (Director)
- The Struggle as Dr. Sharp
- Broncho Billy and the Step-Sisters as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Conscience as Broncho Billy
- The Three Gamblers as Broncho Billy
- Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Last Deed as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Oath as Broncho Billy
- The Making of Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Gun Play as Broncho Billy
- Sophie's New Foreman ... (Director)
- The Doctor's Duty as Dr. Roland White
- Alkali Ike's Misfortunes ... (Director)
- Broncho Billy's Way as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Squareness as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Reason as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Elopement as Broncho Billy
- The New Schoolmarm of Green River as The Sheriff
- Broncho Billy and the Rustler's Child as Broncho Billy
- A Western Sister's Devotion as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Gratefulness as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Express Rider as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Capture as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Mistake as Broncho Billy
- Alkali Ike's Homecoming ... (Director)
- The Influence on Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Strategy as Broncho Billy
- The Accusation of Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's First Arrest as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Reforms as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Navajo Maid as Broncho Billy
- The Man in the Cabin as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Brother as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Christmas Deed as Broncho Billy
- The Crazy Prospector as Broncho Billy
- A Snakeville Courtship ... (Writer)
- Broncho Billy and the Maid as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Schoolmam's Sweetheart as Broncho Billy
- Alkali Ike and the Wildman ... (Director)
- Alkali Ike's Mother-in-Law ... (Director)
- Broncho Billy's Sister as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Western Girls as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Secret as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Gets Square as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Outlaw's Mother as Broncho Billy
- The Redeemed Claim as Mr. Orr, a Government Assayist
- The Tenderfoot Sheriff as Broncho Billy
- The Ranch Feud as Broncho Billy
- The Wheels of Safety as Dr. Sharp
- Broncho Billy's Ward as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Grit as Broncho Billy
1912
- A Child of the West
- Alkali Ike's Pants ... (Director)
- Broncho Billy for Sheriff as Broncho Billy
- Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- The Ranch Girl's Mistake as Broncho Billy
- Alkali Ike Stung! ... (Director)
- Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid as Broncho Billy
- The Deputy and the Girl as The Deputy
- A Story of Montana as Triggerless Jim Burrows
- Broncho Billy's Pal as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Bandits as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Outwitted as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Promise as Broncho Billy
- Alkali Ike's Close Shave ... (Director)
- Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Heart as Broncho Billy
- On El Monte Ranch as Jim Andrews - Foreman of the Ranch
- Alkali Ike's Motorcycle ... (Director)
- The Bandit's Child as Tom Fleming
- Broncho Billy's Escapade as Broncho Billy
- Alkali Ike's Bride ... (Director)
- On the Cactus Trail as Jim Andrews
- The Smuggler's Daughter as Brant Graham
- The Cattle King's Daughter as Buck Brady
- Western Girls
- A Ranch Widower's Daughters ... (Director)
- The Oath of His Office as Bob Graham
- A Western Legacy as Walter Johnson
- The Tomboy on Bar Z
- An Indian's Friendship as Broncho Billy
- A Moonshiner's Heart as Tom Jackson
- An Arizona Escapade as Barnes
- The Deputy's Love Affair as Bill Simpson
- The Prospector's Legacy ... (Director)
- Western Hearts as Sam Hardy
- Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy and the Girl as Broncho Billy
- The Sheriff and His Man as The Arizona Kid
- The Dead Man's Claim as Jim Durkin
- The Desert Sweetheart as Jim Morris
- A Road Agent's Love as Bob Farco
- The Ranchman's Trust as Bill Dunham - Ranch Foreman
- Broncho Billy's Gratitude as Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Bible as Broncho Billy
- Widow Jenkins' Admirers ... (Director)
- The Ranch Girl's Trial as Dave Price
- Alkali Ike Plays the Devil ... (Director)
- The Biter Bitten ... (Director)
- Alkali Ike's Boarding House ... (Director)
- The Tenderfoot Foreman as Jack Reed
- A Wife of the Hills as Bart McGrew
- An Indian Sunbeam as An Indian
- The Foreman's Cousin as Bob Knight
- Broncho Billy's Love Affair as Broncho Billy
- Alkali Ike's Love Affair ... (Director)
- A Western Kimona ... (Director)
- The Indian and the Child as The Indian
- A Child of the Purple Sage as Bart Darrow
- Under Mexican Skies as Pasquale
- The Reward for Broncho Billy as Broncho Billy
- The Sheepman's Escape as Tom Harper
1911
- Alkali Ike's Auto ... (Director)
- The Outlaw and the Child as Dan Warrington
- The Faithful Indian as Will Talbot
- Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner as Broncho Billy
- The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine as Jim Logan
- Across the Plains as The Cowboy
- Broncho Billy's Adventure as Broncho Billy
- The Bad Man's Downfall as Harry Perkins
- The Romance on 'Bar O' as Sherwin Wells
- Forgiven in Death as Jack
- The Two Fugitives as Jack Harvey
- The Border Ranger as The Border Ranger
- The Cattleman's Daughter as Frank Carpenter
- The Forester's Plea as Rev. Small
- The Count and the Cowboys
- The Bunco Game at Lizardhead
- Spike Shannon's Last Fight as Spike Shannon
- The Corporation and the Ranch Girl as Gerald Todds
- The Lucky Card as George Maxwell
- The Sheriff's Decision as Steve Jameson
- The Two Reformations
- A Pal's Oath as Jack Manley
- Town Hall, Tonight as Broncho Bill
- The Bad Man's First Prayer as Bad Man Dan Quigley
- Broncho Bill's Last Spree as Broncho Bill
- A Western Redemption as Tom
- The Puncher's New Love as Harvey Barton
- A Western Girl's Sacrifice as Spike Shannon
- The Girl Back East as Jack King
- Hubby's Scheme as One of Hubby's Friends
- The Infant at Snakeville as Broncho Billy
- Carmenita the Faithful
- The Indian Maiden's Lesson as Revered Warren Addington
- Outwitting Papa as Tom Phelps
- A Hungry Pair ... (Director)
- Hank and Lank: They Make a Mash ... (Director)
- At the Break of Dawn as Gilbert Randall
- An Indian's Sacrifice as Grey Deer
- The Sheriff's Chum as Sheriff Will Phelps
- Outlaw Deputy as Buck Stevens
- The Backwoodsman's Suspicion as Walker - the Backwoodsman
- The Outlaw Samaritan as Jack Mason
- The Stage Driver's Daughter as Tom Percival
- The Tribe's Penalty as Gray Wolf
- The Power of Good as Jim Reed - an Outlaw
- The Millionaire and the Squatter as Silas Strong
- The Hidden Mine ... (Director)
- The Puncher's Law as Tom Patterson
- What a Woman Can Do as Frank Mills
- The Cowboy Coward as Steve
1910
- The Flower of the Ranch as Frank Wendell
- The Cowpuncher's Ward
- The Bad Man's Christmas Gift as Andy Carson
- Patricia of the Plains as Dick Martin
- A Vein of Gold as Walt Rooney, Convict No. 999
- Curing a Masher ... (Director)
- The Little Doctor of the Foothills
- The Little Prospector as Hal Martin
- The Ranchman's Feud as The Doctor
- Method in His Madness as Pedestrian with Seltzer Bottle
- The Cowboy and the Squaw as Tom Ripley, a Cowboy
- The Bearded Bandit as Curt, the Sheriff
- The Outlaw's Sacrifice
- The Bad Man and the Preacher as James Smyth
- The Tenderfoot Messenger
- The Tout's Remembrance as Bullets Brown
- Broncho Billy's Redemption as Broncho Billy
- A Gambler of the West as Halsted
- The Brother, Sister and the Cowpuncher
- A Westerner's Way as Big Bill Hastings
- The Ranch Girl's Legacy as Jack Tyler
- The Pony Express Rider as Jim Allison
- The Millionaire and the Ranch Girl as Milton Rodd
- The Girl on Triple X as Jack Hartley
- The Mistaken Bandit as Innocent Cowboy
- Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present
- The Mexican's Faith as The Mexican
- Hank and Lank: Joyriding ... (Director)
- A Dog on Business ... (Director)
- Western Chivalry
- The Ranger's Bride as A Texas Ranger / The 'Bride'
- Pals of the Range as Jack Smythe
- The Ostrich and the Lady ... (Director)
- The Masquerade Cop ... (Director)
- A Western Woman's Way ... (Director)
- He Met the Champion as The Referee
- The Bad Man's Last Deed as The Bad Man
- Hank and Lank: They Get Wise to a New Scheme ... (Director)
- The Deputy's Love as Bob Dean
- Trailed to the Hills as Harry Forsyth
- A Western Maid
- A Flirty Affliction ... (Director)
- The Cowboy's Sweetheart as Jesse Farson
- Electric Insoles
- The Forest Ranger as Deputy Marshal Charles Wentworth
- The Sheriff's Sacrifice
- A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law as Pete the Coyote
- Hank and Lank: Lifesavers ... (Director)
- A Ranchman's Wooing
- The Marked Trail as The Doctor
- Hank and Lank: Blind Men ... (Director)
- Hank and Lank: As Sandwich Men ... (Director)
- Take Me Out to the Ball Game ... (Director)
- Won by a Hold-Up as Old Rancher
- Under Western Skies as A Cowboy
- An Indian Girl's Love as Jack Sherwood
- Away Out West as A Dying Miner
- The Bandit's Wife
- The Count That Counted
- The Silent Message as Cal Evans
- The Unknown Claim as Bartwell
- Hank and Lank: They Dude Up Some ... (Director)
- A Cowboy's Vindication as Frank Morrison
- A Close Shave ... (Director)
- The Desperado as The New Sheriff
- Hank and Lank: Uninvited Guests ... (Director)
- The Dumb Half Breed's Defense as The Half-Breed
- The Girl and the Fugitive as Ross White
- The Fence on 'Bar Z' Ranch as Robert Graham
- Flower Parade at Pasadena, California ... (Director)
- Trail to the West
1909
- Judgment
- Tag Day
- Mr. Flip ... (Director)
- The Best Man Wins
- Ten Nights in a Bar-Room
- A Mexican's Gratitude as The Sheriff
- The Heart of a Cowboy as Honest Steve
- The Haunted Lounge ... (Director)
- His Reformation as Tom Carlton
- Shanghaied
- A Maid of the Mountains
- The Ranchman's Rival as Jim Watson
- A Tale of the West
- The Neighbors' Kids ... (Director)
- The Black Sheep
- The Indian Trailer
- The Road Agents
- The Spanish Girl as Tom 'Bud' Wilson
1908
- A Disastrous Flirtation ... (Director)
- The Baseball Fan
- The Bandit Makes Good
- The Escape of the Ape ... (Director)
- James Boys in Missouri ... (Director)
1907
- The Bandit King
- The Girl from Montana ... (Director)
- An Awful Skate; or, The Hobo on Rollers ... (Director)
- His First Ride ... (Director)
- The Dancing Nig ... (Director)
1905
- Adventures of Sherlock Holmes as Sherlock Holmes
- The Train Wreckers as Last Train Wrecker
- Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman ... (Director)
1903
- The Great Train Robbery as Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
- What Happened in the Tunnel
- The Messenger Boy's Mistake as Cholly