Gilbert M. Anderson
Director
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.
As Director
Filmography
The Great Train Robbery
as Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited) 1903
The Champion
as Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited) 1915
His Regeneration
as The Regenerate 1915
The Bounty Killer
as The Man in the Cantina 1965
What Happened in the Tunnel
1903
The Messenger Boy's Mistake
as Messenger Boy 1903
The Train Wreckers
as Last Train Wrecker 1905
Broncho Billy and the Greaser
as Broncho Billy 1914
A Wife of the Hills
as Bart McGrew 1912
The Tomboy on Bar Z
1912
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress
as Broncho Billy 1912
Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up
as Broncho Billy 1912
Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner
as Broncho Billy 1911
The Cowboy Coward
as Steve 1911
Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape
as Broncho Billy 1912
Broncho Billy and the False Note
as Broncho Billy 1915
Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present
1910