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Gilbert M. Anderson

Mar 20, 1880 - Jan 20, 1971 (90 years old) in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

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

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The Great Train Robbery
Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
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Smash His Camera
Self (archive footage)
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The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Self (archive footage)
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The Champion
Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)
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The Bounty Killer
The Man in the Cantina
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Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape
Broncho Billy
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The Reward for Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy
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Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up
Broncho Billy
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His Regeneration
The Regenerate
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Life with Henry
Business Man (uncredited)

Credits