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