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.

Personal Details

• Born: 1880-03-20 in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
• Known For: Directing

Gilbert M. Anderson Movies List

Looking for Gilbert M. Anderson movies? Here are some of their most popular films and where they rank in their career:

• The Great Train Robbery (1903)
• The Champion (1915)
• His Regeneration (1915)
• The Bounty Killer (1965)
• What Happened in the Tunnel (1903)
• The Messenger Boy's Mistake (1903)
• The Train Wreckers (1905)
• Broncho Billy and the Greaser (1914)
• A Wife of the Hills (1912)
• The Tomboy on Bar Z (1912)

Explore the complete Gilbert M. Anderson movies list and find where to stream them on Watchlist Wizard.