Directing
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.
Filmography
Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay
Film · 2017
Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs
Film · 2000
Hollywood
Series · 1980
The Bounty Killer
Film · 1965
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Film · 1961
The Western: A Lost TV Special
Film · 1958
Life with Henry
Film · 1941
The Movies March On
Film · 1939
The Film Parade
Film · 1933
Stars of Yesterday
Film · 1931
The Greater Duty
Film · 1922
Red Blood and Yellow
Film · 1919
The Son-of-a-Gun
Film · 1919
Shootin' Mad
Film · 1918
Humanity
Film · 1917
Her Lesson
Film · 1916
The Book Agent's Romance
Film · 1916
The Man in Him
Film · 1916
Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy and the Sisters
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy and the False Note
Film · 1915
Ingomar of the Hills
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy Well Repaid
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Word of Honor
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Teachings
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Vengeance
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Brother
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy and the Vigilante
Film · 1915
His Regeneration
Film · 1915
The Tie That Binds
Film · 1915
The Other Girl
Film · 1915
The Revenue Agent
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber
Film · 1915
The Wealth of the Poor
Film · 1915
The Bachelor's Burglar
Film · 1915
The Western Way
Film · 1915
The Outlaw's Awakening
Film · 1915
When Love and Honor Called
Film · 1915
Andy of the Royal Mounted
Film · 1915
His Wife's Secret
Film · 1915
The Face at the Curtain
Film · 1915
Her Realization
Film · 1915
The Bachelor's Baby
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Protégé
Film · 1915
The Little Prospector
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Marriage
Film · 1915
Her Return
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy Steps In
Film · 1915
An Unexpected Romance
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy Begins Life Anew
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy and the Lumber King
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp
Film · 1915
The Convict's Threat
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Parents
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy, Sheepman
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy Misled
Film · 1915
Suppressed Evidence
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy Evens Matters
Film · 1915
Wine, Women and Song
Film · 1915
Too Much Turkey
Film · 1915
The Indian's Narrow Escape
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Love Affair
Film · 1915
The Escape of Broncho Billy
Film · 1915
A Christmas Revenge
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Sentence
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy and the Baby
Film · 1915
The Champion
Film · 1915
Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Dad
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy and the Settler's Daughter
Film · 1914
The Treachery of Broncho Billy's Pal
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's True Love
Film · 1914
The Inference of Broncho Billy
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy and the Red Man
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy and the Bad Man
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy-Guardian
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy and the Rattler
Film · 1914
The Redemption of Broncho Billy
Film · 1914
A Night on the Road
Film · 1914
Snakeville's New Doctor
Film · 1914
The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy Trapped
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy Rewarded
Film · 1914
The Calling of Jim Barton
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy -- Favorite
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Mother
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Mission
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy -- Gun-Man
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Scheme
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Sermon
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Decision
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Close Call
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Leap
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Duty
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Cunning
Film · 1914
Red Riding Hood of the Hills
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Jealousy
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy, Outlaw
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Punishment
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy Puts One Over
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy and the Gambler
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Judgment
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Double Escape
Film · 1914
The Tell-Tale Hand
Film · 1914
The Squatter's Gal
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy Wins Out
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Wild Ride
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Indian Romance
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy, the Vagabond
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy Butts In
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need
Film · 1914
The Good-for-Nothing
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy and the Greaser
Film · 1914
Broncho Billy's Conscience
Film · 1913
The Doctor's Duty
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Elopement
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy and the Outlaw's Mother
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's First Arrest
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Christmas Deed
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy and the Navajo Maid
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy Reforms
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Mistake
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Squareness
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Secret
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmam's Sweetheart
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Strategy
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Last Deed
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Ward
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Brother
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy and the Maid
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Gun Play
Film · 1913
The Influence on Broncho Billy
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy and the Step-Sisters
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Sister
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Way
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Gratefulness
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Reason
Film · 1913
The Crazy Prospector
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Grit
Film · 1913
The Ranch Feud
Film · 1913
The Tenderfoot Sheriff
Film · 1913
The Accusation of Broncho Billy
Film · 1913
The Man in the Cabin
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy and the Express Rider
Film · 1913
A Western Sister's Devotion
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Oath
Film · 1913
The Struggle
Film · 1913
The Redeemed Claim
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy Gets Square
Film · 1913
The Wheels of Safety
Film · 1913
The New Schoolmarm of Green River
Film · 1913
The Three Gamblers
Film · 1913
The Making of Broncho Billy
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy and the Rustler's Child
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy's Capture
Film · 1913
Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County
Film · 1913
Broncho Billy and the Western Girls
Film · 1913
The Tomboy on Bar Z
Film · 1912
A Child of the West
Film · 1912
The Sheepman's Escape
Film · 1912
The Tenderfoot Foreman
Film · 1912
The Oath of His Office
Film · 1912
The Deputy and the Girl
Film · 1912
The Ranch Girl's Mistake
Film · 1912
The Smuggler's Daughter
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy's Bible
Film · 1912
The Bandit's Child
Film · 1912
The Deputy's Love Affair
Film · 1912
An Arizona Escapade
Film · 1912
The Indian and the Child
Film · 1912
A Road Agent's Love
Film · 1912
Under Mexican Skies
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy and the Girl
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy and the Bandits
Film · 1912
The Cattle King's Daughter
Film · 1912
On El Monte Ranch
Film · 1912
The Dead Man's Claim
Film · 1912
The Sheriff and His Man
Film · 1912
A Western Legacy
Film · 1912
A Child of the Purple Sage
Film · 1912
The Desert Sweetheart
Film · 1912
Western Hearts
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy's Gratitude
Film · 1912
The Foreman's Cousin
Film · 1912
On the Cactus Trail
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid
Film · 1912
A Story of Montana
Film · 1912
A Moonshiner's Heart
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy's Pal
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy Outwitted
Film · 1912
An Indian Sunbeam
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy's Escapade
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy for Sheriff
Film · 1912
The Ranchman's Trust
Film · 1912
The Ranch Girl's Trial
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife
Film · 1912
Western Girls
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy's Love Affair
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy's Promise
Film · 1912
The Reward for Broncho Billy
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy's Heart
Film · 1912
An Indian's Friendship
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress
Film · 1912
A Wife of the Hills
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up
Film · 1912
Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape
Film · 1912
Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy
Film · 1912
The Count and the Cowboys
Film · 1911
Hubby's Scheme
Film · 1911
The Border Ranger
Film · 1911
The Two Reformations
Film · 1911
The Cattleman's Daughter
Film · 1911
The Bad Man's Downfall
Film · 1911
Carmenita the Faithful
Film · 1911
The Outlaw and the Child
Film · 1911
Across the Plains
Film · 1911
The Romance on 'Bar O'
Film · 1911
The Bad Man's First Prayer
Film · 1911
The Bunco Game at Lizardhead
Film · 1911
The Sheriff's Chum
Film · 1911
The Indian Maiden's Lesson
Film · 1911
The Puncher's New Love
Film · 1911
What a Woman Can Do
Film · 1911
The Infant at Snakeville
Film · 1911
Forgiven in Death
Film · 1911
The Lucky Card
Film · 1911
The Tribe's Penalty
Film · 1911
At the Break of Dawn
Film · 1911
The Corporation and the Ranch Girl
Film · 1911
The Backwoodsman's Suspicion
Film · 1911
The Faithful Indian
Film · 1911
The Two Fugitives
Film · 1911
The Outlaw Samaritan
Film · 1911
A Pal's Oath
Film · 1911
A Western Girl's Sacrifice
Film · 1911
The Puncher's Law
Film · 1911
Broncho Bill's Last Spree
Film · 1911
The Millionaire and the Squatter
Film · 1911
Spike Shannon's Last Fight
Film · 1911
An Indian's Sacrifice
Film · 1911
The Power of Good
Film · 1911
Town Hall, Tonight
Film · 1911
The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine
Film · 1911
The Sheriff's Decision
Film · 1911
The Stage Driver's Daughter
Film · 1911
A Western Redemption
Film · 1911
The Forester's Plea
Film · 1911
Outwitting Papa
Film · 1911
Outlaw Deputy
Film · 1911
The Girl Back East
Film · 1911
The Cowboy Coward
Film · 1911
Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner
Film · 1911
Broncho Billy's Adventure
Film · 1911
Pals of the Range
Film · 1910
A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law
Film · 1910
A Westerner's Way
Film · 1910
The Silent Message
Film · 1910
The Marked Trail
Film · 1910
The Little Prospector
Film · 1910
Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present
Film · 1910
A Cowboy's Vindication
Film · 1910
The Tenderfoot Messenger
Film · 1910
Trail to the West
Film · 1910
The Bad Man's Christmas Gift
Film · 1910
A Gambler of the West
Film · 1910
The Mexican's Faith
Film · 1910
A Western Maid
Film · 1910
Electric Insoles
Film · 1910
Won by a Hold-Up
Film · 1910
Western Chivalry
Film · 1910
An Outlaw's Sacrifice
Film · 1910
The Cowboy and the Squaw
Film · 1910
The Fence on 'Bar Z' Ranch
Film · 1910
The Ranch Girl's Legacy
Film · 1910
Method in His Madness
Film · 1910
A Ranchman's Wooing
Film · 1910
The Ranger's Bride
Film · 1910
The Girl and the Fugitive
Film · 1910
The Flower of the Ranch
Film · 1910
The Mistaken Bandit
Film · 1910
The Cowboy's Sweetheart
Film · 1910
The Bad Man and the Preacher
Film · 1910
The Cowpuncher's Ward
Film · 1910
The Sheriff's Sacrifice
Film · 1910
The Brother, the Sister and the Cowpuncher
Film · 1910
Away Out West
Film · 1910
The Little Doctor of the Foothills
Film · 1910
The Bad Man's Last Deed
Film · 1910
The Bandit's Wife
Film · 1910
The Ranchmen's Feud
Film · 1910
The Forest Ranger
Film · 1910
The Desperado
Film · 1910
Under Western Skies
Film · 1910
The Unknown Claim
Film · 1910
Trailed to the Hills
Film · 1910
The Girl on Triple X
Film · 1910
The Count That Counted
Film · 1910
The Dumb Half Breed's Defense
Film · 1910
The Deputy's Love
Film · 1910
An Indian Girl's Love
Film · 1910
The Millionaire and the Ranch Girl
Film · 1910
The Pony Express Rider
Film · 1910
The Tout's Remembrance
Film · 1910
He Met the Champion
Film · 1910
Patricia of the Plains
Film · 1910
The Bearded Bandit
Film · 1910
Broncho Billy's Redemption
Film · 1910
Tag Day
Film · 1909
The Road Agents
Film · 1909
Shanghaied
Film · 1909
The Indian Trailer
Film · 1909
The Spanish Girl
Film · 1909
His Reformation
Film · 1909
The Best Man Wins
Film · 1909
The Black Sheep
Film · 1909
A Tale of the West
Film · 1909
A Maid of the Mountains
Film · 1909
The Heart of a Cowboy
Film · 1909
The Ranchman's Rival
Film · 1909
A Mexican's Gratitude
Film · 1909
The Baseball Fan
Film · 1908
The Bandit Makes Good
Film · 1908
The Bandit King
Film · 1907
The Life of an American Cowboy
Film · 1906
The Train Wreckers
Film · 1905
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Film · 1905
Western Stage Coach Hold Up
Film · 1904
The Messenger Boy's Mistake
Film · 1903
The Great Train Robbery
Film · 1903
What Happened in the Tunnel
Film · 1903