Gilbert M. Anderson
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 394
Movies (394)
Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay2017Self (archive footage)
Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs2000(archive footage)
The Bounty Killer1965The Man in the Cantina
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino1961Self (archive footage)
The Western: A Lost TV Special1958Self
Life with Henry1941Business Man (uncredited)
The Movies March On1939Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)
The Film Parade1933(archive footage) (uncredited)
Stars of Yesterday1931Self
The Pest1922Directing
The Weak-End Party1922Directing
Ashes1922Directing- The Greater Duty1922Bill Hinchley
The Son-of-a-Gun1919Bill- Red Blood and Yellow1919Jack / Jim
Shootin' Mad1918Broncho Billy
Humanity1917Broncho Billy Adair
Vera, the Medium1917Directing- The Man in Him1916John Stone
- The Book Agent's Romance1916The Book Agent
- Her Lesson1916The Capitalist
A Christmas Revenge1915Broncho Billy / Santa Claus- Broncho Billy's Love Affair1915Broncho Billy
- The Indian's Narrow Escape1915The Indian
- The Escape of Broncho Billy1915Broncho Billy
- Too Much Turkey1915Frank Potter
- Wine, Women and Song1915The Young Man
- Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother1915Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy Evens Matters1915Broncho Billy
- Broncho Billy's Parents1915Broncho Billy