- Born
- Died
- Place
Gilbert M. Anderson
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.
As director
The Pest
Ashes
The Weak-End Party
The Son-of-a-Gun
Red Blood and Yellow
Vera, the Medium
Humanity
Her Lesson
The Man in Him
The Book Agent's Romance
His Regeneration
Broncho Billy's Sentence
Ingomar of the Hills
Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers
Broncho Billy and the Sisters
Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy
Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit
Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother
Broncho Billy and the False Note
Broncho Billy Well Repaid
Broncho Billy's Teachings
Broncho Billy's Word of Honor
Broncho Billy's Vengeance
When Love and Honor Called
The Western Way
The Outlaw's Awakening
Andy of the Royal Mounted
His Wife's Secret
The Face at the Curtain
Broncho Billy's Brother
As actor
Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay
Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs
The Bounty Killer
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
The Western: A Lost TV Special
Life with Henry
The Movies March On
The Film Parade
Stars of Yesterday
The Greater Duty
Red Blood and Yellow
The Son-of-a-Gun
Shootin' Mad
Humanity
Her Lesson
The Man in Him
The Book Agent's Romance
Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers
Broncho Billy and the Sisters
Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy
Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit
Broncho Billy and the False Note
Ingomar of the Hills
Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother
Broncho Billy Well Repaid
Broncho Billy's Teachings
Broncho Billy's Word of Honor
Broncho Billy's Vengeance
Broncho Billy's Brother
Broncho Billy and the Vigilante