Personal Info
Known For
Directing
Born
March 20, 1880
Died
January 20, 1971 (age 90)
Place of Birth
Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
Also Known As
Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson
G. M. Anderson
G.M. Anderson
Gilbert Anderson
Bronco Billy Anderson
Gilbert M. Anderson
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.
Known For
Film
The Great Train Robbery
Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
1903
Film
The Champion
Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)
1915
Film
The Bounty Killer
The Man in the Cantina
1965
Film
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Self (archive footage)
1961
Film
The Calling of Jim Barton
Jim Barton
1914
Film
Life with Henry
Business Man (uncredited)
1941
Film
The Western: A Lost TV Special
Self
1958
Film
Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs
(archive footage)
2000
Film
Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present
1910
Film
Stars of Yesterday
Self
1931
Film
Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark
Broncho Billy
1914
Film
Broncho Billy Rewarded
Broncho Billy
1914
Film
The Struggle
Dr. Sharp
1913
Film
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
1905
Film
Broncho Billy and the Western Girls
Broncho Billy
1913
Film
The Best Man Wins
1909
Film
Broncho Billy's Leap
Broncho Billy
1914
Film
The Count and the Cowboys
1911
Film
The Treachery of Broncho Billy's Pal
Broncho Billy
1914
Film
The Squatter's Gal
Broncho Billy
1914
Filmography
2017FilmCharlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanayas Self (archive footage)2000FilmGolden Saddles, Silver Spursas (archive footage)1965FilmThe Bounty Killeras The Man in the Cantina1961FilmThe Legend of Rudolph Valentinoas Self (archive footage)1958FilmThe Western: A Lost TV Specialas Self1941FilmLife with Henryas Business Man (uncredited)1939FilmThe Movies March Onas Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)1933FilmThe Film Paradeas (archive footage) (uncredited)1931FilmStars of Yesterdayas Self1922FilmThe Greater Dutyas Bill Hinchley1919FilmThe Son-of-a-Gunas Bill1919FilmRed Blood and Yellowas Jack / Jim1918FilmShootin' Madas Broncho Billy1917FilmHumanityas Broncho Billy Adair1916FilmThe Man in Himas John Stone1916FilmThe Book Agent's Romanceas The Book Agent1916FilmHer Lessonas The Capitalist1915FilmA Christmas Revengeas Broncho Billy / Santa Claus1915FilmBroncho Billy's Love Affairas Broncho Billy1915FilmThe Indian's Narrow Escapeas The Indian1915FilmThe Escape of Broncho Billyas Broncho Billy1915FilmWine, Women and Songas The Young Man1915FilmToo Much Turkeyas Frank Potter1915FilmBroncho Billy's Cowardly Brotheras Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy Evens Mattersas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy's Parentsas Broncho Billy1915FilmSuppressed Evidenceas The Husband1915FilmBroncho Billy, Sheepmanas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy Misledas Broncho Billy1915FilmThe Convict's Threatas The Convict1915FilmAn Unexpected Romanceas The Landowner1915FilmBroncho Billy and the Card Sharpas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy and the Lumber Kingas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy Begins Life Anewas Broncho Billy1915FilmHer Returnas The Husband1915FilmBroncho Billy's Marriageas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy Steps Inas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy's Protégéas Broncho Billy1915FilmThe Bachelor's Babyas The Bachelor1915FilmBroncho Billy Well Repaidas Broncho Billy1915FilmThe Little Prospectoras Broncho Billy1915FilmHer Realizationas The Sweetheart1915FilmBroncho Billy and the Land Grabberas Broncho Billy1915FilmThe Wealth of the Pooras The Husband1915FilmBroncho Billy's Word of Honoras Broncho Billy1915FilmThe Bachelor's Burglaras The Bachelor1915FilmThe Revenue Agentas Tom1915FilmThe Other Girlas The Artist1915FilmBroncho Billy's Teachingsas Broncho Billy1915FilmHis Regenerationas The Regenerate1915FilmThe Tie That Bindsas The Husband1915FilmHis Wife's Secretas The Burglar1915FilmThe Face at the Curtainas The Burglar1915FilmAndy of the Royal Mountedas Andy of the Royal Mounted1915FilmIngomar of the Hillsas Ingomar1915FilmThe Outlaw's Awakeningas The Outlaw1915FilmThe Western Wayas The Outlaw1915FilmThe Championas Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)1915FilmBroncho Billy's Vengeanceas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy's Brotheras Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy and the Vigilanteas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy's Sentenceas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy's Greaser Deputyas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy and the False Noteas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy and the Babyas Broncho Billy1915FilmWhen Love and Honor Calledas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy and the Sistersas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy and the Claim Jumpersas Broncho Billy1915FilmBroncho Billy and the Escaped Banditas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy and the Sheriff's Officeas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Christmas Spiritas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Dadas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Judgmentas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Double Escapeas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Schemeas Broocho Billy1914FilmThe Tell-Tale Handas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Decisionas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Missionas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Motheras Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy -- Favoriteas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy Rewardedas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy and the Greaseras Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy Trappedas Broncho Billy1914FilmThe Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheartas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy Butts Inas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy, a Friend in Needas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy, the Vagabondas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Indian Romanceas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Wild Rideas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy Wins Outas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Fatal Jokeas Broncho Billy1914FilmThe Squatter's Galas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy and the Gambleras Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy Puts One Overas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy and the Sheriffas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Punishmentas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Jealousyas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy, Outlawas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy and the Mine Sharkas Broncho Billy1914FilmThe Good-for-Nothingas Gilbert Sterling1914FilmBroncho Billy's Dutyas Broncho Billy1914FilmRed Riding Hood of the Hillsas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Leapas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Sermonas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Close Callas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy -- Gun-Manas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy and the Rattleras Broncho Billy1914FilmThe Treachery of Broncho Billy's Palas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's Cunningas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy's True Loveas Broncho Billy1914FilmThe Inference of Broncho Billyas Broncho Billy1914FilmThe Calling of Jim Bartonas Jim Barton1914FilmBroncho Billy and the Settler's Daughteras Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy and the Red Manas Broncho Billy1914FilmBroncho Billy and the Bad Manas Broncho Billy1914FilmA Night on the Roadas Rough Neck1914FilmBroncho Billy-Guardianas Broncho Billy1914FilmSnakeville's New Doctoras Broncho Billy1914FilmThe Redemption of Broncho Billyas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Christmas Deedas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Three Gamblersas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Squarenessas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's First Arrestas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe New Schoolmarm of Green Riveras The Sheriff1913FilmThe Wheels of Safetyas Dr. Sharp1913FilmBroncho Billy's Secretas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Doctor's Dutyas Dr. Roland White1913FilmBroncho Billy's Elopementas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy Gets Squareas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Oathas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Struggleas Dr. Sharp1913FilmWhy Broncho Billy Left Bear Countyas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Redeemed Claimas Mr. Orr, a Government Assayist1913FilmBroncho Billy Reformsas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Conscienceas Broncho Billy1913FilmA Western Sister's Devotionas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Mistakeas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Man in the Cabinas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy and the Navajo Maidas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Tenderfoot Sheriffas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy and the Schoolmam's Sweetheartas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy and the Western Girlsas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Strategyas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Ranch Feudas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Captureas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy and the Express Rideras Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Gritas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Crazy Prospectoras Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy and the Rustler's Childas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Accusation of Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Reasonas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Wayas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Gratefulnessas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Sisteras Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy and the Step-Sistersas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughteras Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Influence on Broncho Billyas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kidas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Last Deedas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Wardas Broncho Billy1913FilmThe Making of Broncho Billyas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Gun Playas Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy's Brotheras Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy and the Outlaw's Motheras Broncho Billy1913FilmBroncho Billy and the Maidas Broncho Billy1912FilmThe Reward for Broncho Billyas Broncho Billy1912FilmBroncho Billy's Promiseas Broncho Billy1912FilmBroncho Billy's Love Affairas Broncho Billy1912FilmWestern Girls1912FilmBroncho Billy's Mexican Wifeas Broncho Billy1912FilmBroncho Billy's Heartas Broncho Billy1912FilmAn Indian's Friendshipas Broncho Billy1912FilmThe Ranch Girl's Trialas Dave Price1912FilmThe Tomboy on Bar Z1912FilmAn Indian Sunbeamas An Indian1912FilmBroncho Billy Outwittedas Broncho Billy1912FilmThe Tenderfoot Foremanas Jack Reed1912FilmThe Ranchman's Trustas Bill Dunham - Ranch Foreman1912FilmBroncho Billy for Sheriffas Broncho Billy1912FilmBroncho Billy's Escapadeas Broncho Billy1912FilmBroncho Billy's Last Hold-Upas Broncho Billy1912FilmBroncho Billy's Palas Broncho Billy1912FilmA Wife of the Hillsas Bart McGrew1912FilmThe Smuggler's Daughteras Brant Graham1912FilmA Story of Montanaas Triggerless Jim Burrows1912FilmBroncho Billy's Narrow Escapeas Broncho Billy1912FilmOn the Cactus Trailas Jim Andrews1912FilmBroncho Billy and the Indian Maidas Broncho Billy1912FilmA Moonshiner's Heartas Tom Jackson1912FilmThe Foreman's Cousinas Bob Knight1912FilmBroncho Billy's Gratitudeas Broncho Billy1912FilmWestern Heartsas Sam Hardy1912FilmA Child of the Purple Sageas Bart Darrow1912FilmOn El Monte Ranchas Jim Andrews - Foreman of the Ranch1912FilmBroncho Billy's Bibleas Broncho Billy1912FilmThe Desert Sweetheartas Jim Morris1912FilmA Western Legacyas Walter Johnson1912FilmThe Sheriff and His Manas The Arizona Kid1912FilmThe Dead Man's Claimas Jim Durkin1912FilmBroncho Billy and the Banditsas Broncho Billy1912FilmThe Indian and the Childas The Indian1912FilmThe Cattle King's Daughteras Buck Brady1912FilmUnder Mexican Skiesas Pasquale1912FilmBroncho Billy and the Girlas Broncho Billy1912FilmA Road Agent's Loveas Bob Farco1912FilmAn Arizona Escapadeas Barnes1912FilmAlkali Ike Bests Broncho Billyas Broncho Billy1912FilmThe Deputy's Love Affairas Bill Simpson1912FilmThe Bandit's Childas Tom Fleming1912FilmThe Ranch Girl's Mistakeas Broncho Billy1912FilmThe Deputy and the Girlas The Deputy1912FilmBroncho Billy and the Schoolmistressas Broncho Billy1912FilmThe Oath of His Officeas Bob Graham1912FilmThe Sheepman's Escapeas Tom Harper1912FilmA Child of the West1911FilmBroncho Billy's Adventureas Broncho Billy1911FilmBroncho Billy's Christmas Dinneras Broncho Billy1911FilmThe Cowboy Cowardas Steve1911FilmHubby's Schemeas One of Hubby's Friends1911FilmThe Girl Back Eastas Jack King1911FilmOutlaw Deputyas Buck Stevens1911FilmOutwitting Papaas Tom Phelps1911FilmThe Forester's Pleaas Rev. Small1911FilmA Western Redemptionas Tom1911FilmThe Stage Driver's Daughteras Tom Percival1911FilmTown Hall, Tonightas Broncho Bill1911FilmThe Sheriff's Decisionas Steve Jameson1911FilmThe Strike at the Little Jonny Mineas Jim Logan1911FilmThe Power of Goodas Jim Reed - an Outlaw1911FilmAn Indian's Sacrificeas Grey Deer1911FilmThe Millionaire and the Squatteras Silas Strong1911FilmThe Puncher's Lawas Tom Patterson1911FilmBroncho Bill's Last Spreeas Broncho Bill1911FilmA Western Girl's Sacrificeas Spike Shannon1911FilmSpike Shannon's Last Fightas Spike Shannon1911FilmA Pal's Oathas Jack Manley1911FilmThe Two Fugitivesas Jack Harvey1911FilmThe Outlaw Samaritanas Jack Mason1911FilmThe Backwoodsman's Suspicionas Walker - the Backwoodsman1911FilmThe Corporation and the Ranch Girlas Gerald Todds1911FilmAt the Break of Dawnas Gilbert Randall1911FilmThe Tribe's Penaltyas Gray Wolf1911FilmForgiven in Deathas Jack1911FilmThe Infant at Snakevilleas Broncho Billy1911FilmThe Lucky Cardas George Maxwell1911FilmThe Puncher's New Loveas Harvey Barton1911FilmThe Bunco Game at Lizardhead1911FilmWhat a Woman Can Doas Frank Mills1911FilmThe Indian Maiden's Lessonas Revered Warren Addington1911FilmThe Bad Man's First Prayeras Bad Man Dan Quigley1911FilmAcross the Plainsas The Cowboy1911FilmThe Sheriff's Chumas Sheriff Will Phelps1911FilmThe Faithful Indianas Will Talbot1911FilmThe Romance on 'Bar O'as Sherwin Wells1911FilmThe Cattleman's Daughteras Frank Carpenter1911FilmThe Outlaw and the Childas Dan Warrington1911FilmThe Bad Man's Downfallas Harry Perkins1911FilmCarmenita the Faithful1911FilmThe Two Reformations1911FilmThe Border Rangeras The Border Ranger1911FilmThe Count and the Cowboys1910FilmA Gambler of the Westas Halsted1910FilmThe Bad Man's Christmas Giftas Andy Carson1910FilmThe Tenderfoot Messenger1910FilmA Cowboy's Vindicationas Frank Morrison1910FilmCircle C Ranch's Wedding Present1910FilmThe Little Prospectoras Hal Martin1910FilmThe Marked Trailas The Doctor1910FilmA Westerner's Wayas Big Bill Hastings1910FilmThe Silent Messageas Cal Evans1910FilmPals of the Rangeas Jack Smythe1910FilmA Cowboy's Mother-in-Lawas Pete the Coyote1910FilmThe Bearded Banditas Curt, the Sheriff1910FilmPatricia of the Plainsas Dick Martin1910FilmThe Tout's Remembranceas Bullets Brown1910FilmThe Pony Express Rideras Jim Allison1910FilmHe Met the Championas The Referee1910FilmAn Indian Girl's Loveas Jack Sherwood1910FilmThe Millionaire and the Ranch Girlas Milton Rodd1910FilmThe Deputy's Loveas Bob Dean1910FilmThe Dumb Half Breed's Defenseas The Half-Breed1910FilmThe Count That Counted1910FilmThe Girl on Triple Xas Jack Hartley1910FilmUnder Western Skiesas A Cowboy1910FilmBroncho Billy's Redemptionas Broncho Billy1910FilmThe Desperadoas The New Sheriff1910FilmTrailed to the Hillsas Harry Forsyth1910FilmThe Unknown Claimas Bartwell1910FilmThe Bad Man's Last Deedas The Bad Man1910FilmThe Forest Rangeras Deputy Marshal Charles Wentworth1910FilmThe Bandit's Wife1910FilmThe Ranchman's Feudas The Doctor1910FilmAway Out Westas A Dying Miner1910FilmThe Brother, Sister and the Cowpuncher1910FilmThe Little Doctor of the Foothills1910FilmThe Cowpuncher's Ward1910FilmThe Sheriff's Sacrifice1910FilmA Vein of Goldas Walt Rooney, Convict No. 9991910FilmThe Cowboy's Sweetheartas Jesse Farson1910FilmThe Mistaken Banditas Innocent Cowboy1910FilmThe Bad Man and the Preacheras James Smyth1910FilmThe Ranger's Brideas A Texas Ranger / The 'Bride'1910FilmThe Flower of the Ranchas Frank Wendell1910FilmA Ranchman's Wooing1910FilmThe Girl and the Fugitiveas Ross White1910FilmMethod in His Madnessas Pedestrian with Seltzer Bottle1910FilmThe Fence on 'Bar Z' Ranchas Robert Graham1910FilmThe Ranch Girl's Legacyas Jack Tyler1910FilmThe Mexican's Faithas The Mexican1910FilmThe Cowboy and the Squawas Tom Ripley, a Cowboy1910FilmWestern Chivalry1910FilmThe Outlaw's Sacrifice1910FilmWon by a Hold-Upas Old Rancher1910FilmElectric Insoles1910FilmTrail to the West1910FilmA Western Maid1909FilmThe Heart of a Cowboyas Honest Steve1909FilmThe Spanish Girlas Tom 'Bud' Wilson1909FilmThe Ranchman's Rivalas Jim Watson1909FilmHis Reformationas Tom Carlton1909FilmJudgment1909FilmThe Best Man Wins1909FilmA Maid of the Mountains1909FilmThe Black Sheep1909FilmTen Nights in a Bar-Room1909FilmThe Indian Trailer1909FilmA Mexican's Gratitudeas The Sheriff1909FilmA Tale of the West1909FilmThe Road Agents1909FilmShanghaied1909FilmTag Day1908FilmThe Bandit Makes Good1908FilmThe Baseball Fan1907FilmThe Bandit King1906FilmThe Life of an American Cowboy1905FilmThe Train Wreckersas Last Train Wrecker1905FilmAdventures of Sherlock Holmesas Sherlock Holmes1904FilmWestern Stage Coach Hold Up1903FilmThe Great Train Robberyas Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)1903FilmWhat Happened in the Tunnel1903FilmThe Messenger Boy's Mistakeas Cholly