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.
Movies
The Messenger Boy's Mistake Messenger Boy
The Great Train Robbery Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs (archive footage)
The Tomboy on Bar Z
Broncho Billy's Conscience Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumpers Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Christmas Spirit Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Dad Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Sisters Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Greaser Deputy Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Escaped Bandit Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office Broncho Billy
Hollywood and the Stars Self
Broncho Billy and the False Note Broncho Billy
The Doctor's Duty Dr. Roland White
Broncho Billy's Elopement Broncho Billy
Ingomar of the Hills Ingomar
Broncho Billy and the Outlaw's Mother Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Cowardly Brother Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's First Arrest Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Christmas Deed Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Settler's Daughter Broncho Billy
The Treachery of Broncho Billy's Pal Broncho Billy
The Silent Message Cal Evans
The Marked Trail The Doctor
A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law Pete the Coyote
Pals of the Range Jack Smythe
A Westerner's Way Big Bill Hastings
The Little Prospector Hal Martin
Broncho Billy's True Love Broncho Billy
Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present
A Cowboy's Vindication Frank Morrison
Broncho Billy Well Repaid Broncho Billy
The Tenderfoot Messenger
Trail to the West
The Bad Man's Christmas Gift Andy Carson
A Gambler of the West Halsted
The Count and the Cowboys
The Inference of Broncho Billy Broncho Billy
The Mexican's Faith The Mexican
Hubby's Scheme One of Hubby's Friends
The Border Ranger The Border Ranger
A Child of the West
The Baseball Fan
The Road Agents
Western Stage Coach Hold Up
Western Justice
The Bandit Makes Good
The Life of an American Cowboy
Tag Day
Shanghaied
A Brush Between Cowboys and Indians
The Tenderfoot Foreman Jack Reed
The Sheepman's Escape Tom Harper
The Black Sheep
The Oath of His Office Bob Graham
A Tale of the West
A Maid of the Mountains
The Deputy and the Girl The Deputy
The Spanish Girl Tom 'Bud' Wilson
A Mexican's Gratitude The Sheriff
The Best Man Wins
The Heart of a Cowboy Honest Steve
The Ranchman's Rival Jim Watson
The Indian Trailer
Ten Nights in a Barroom
His Reformation Tom Carlton
Judgment
The Ranch Girl's Mistake Broncho Billy
The Two Reformations
The Smuggler's Daughter Brant Graham
Broncho Billy's Bible Broncho Billy
Carmenita the Faithful
The Cattleman's Daughter Frank Carpenter
The Bad Man's Downfall Harry Perkins
The Outlaw and the Child Dan Warrington
The Indian Maiden's Lesson Revered Warren Addington
The Sheriff's Chum Sheriff Will Phelps
The Romance on 'Bar O' Sherwin Wells
The Puncher's New Love Harvey Barton
The Bunco Game at Lizardhead
Across the Plains The Cowboy
The Bad Man's First Prayer Bad Man Dan Quigley
What a Woman Can Do Frank Mills
Broncho Billy and the Red Man Broncho Billy
The Tribe's Penalty Gray Wolf
The Lucky Card George Maxwell
The Infant at Snakeville Broncho Billy
Forgiven in Death Jack
Broncho Billy and the Bad Man Broncho Billy
At the Break of Dawn Gilbert Randall
The Backwoodsman's Suspicion Walker - the Backwoodsman
Broncho Billy-Guardian Broncho Billy
The Corporation and the Ranch Girl Gerald Todds
A Western Maid
Electric Insoles
Won by a Hold-Up Old Rancher
Western Chivalry
The Outlaw's Sacrifice
Broncho Billy and the Rattler Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Navajo Maid Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Mistake Broncho Billy
The Cowboy and the Squaw Tom Ripley, a Cowboy
The Bounty Killer The Man in the Cantina
The Faithful Indian Will Talbot
The Fence on 'Bar Z' Ranch Robert Graham
Broncho Billy Reforms Broncho Billy
The Ranch Girl's Legacy Jack Tyler
Method in His Madness Pedestrian with Seltzer Bottle
The Flower of the Ranch Frank Wendell
The Mistaken Bandit Innocent Cowboy
The Bad Man and the Preacher James Smyth
A Ranchman's Wooing
The Girl and the Fugitive Ross White
The Ranger's Bride A Texas Ranger / The 'Bride'
A Vein of Gold Walt Rooney, Convict No. 999
The Cowboy's Sweetheart Jesse Farson
The Sheriff's Sacrifice
The Brother, Sister and the Cowpuncher
The Little Doctor of the Foothills
Away Out West A Dying Miner
The Cowpuncher's Ward
Broncho Billy and the Girl Broncho Billy
Under Mexican Skies Pasquale
A Road Agent's Love Bob Farco
An Arizona Escapade Barnes
The Deputy's Love Affair Bill Simpson
The Bandit's Child Tom Fleming
The Indian and the Child The Indian
Broncho Billy and the Bandits Broncho Billy
Red Blood and Yellow Jack / Jim
The Cattle King's Daughter Buck Brady
The Two Fugitives Jack Harvey
The Greater Duty
A Pal's Oath Jack Manley
The Outlaw Samaritan Jack Mason
The Redemption of Broncho Billy Broncho Billy
Spike Shannon's Last Fight Spike Shannon
The Puncher's Law Tom Patterson
A Western Girl's Sacrifice Spike Shannon
Broncho Bill's Last Spree Broncho Bill
An Indian's Sacrifice Grey Deer
The Millionaire and the Squatter Silas Strong
Broncho Billy's Squareness Broncho Billy
The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine Jim Logan
Town Hall, Tonight Broncho Bill
The Sheriff's Decision Steve Jameson
Broncho Billy's Secret Broncho Billy
The Power of Good Jim Reed - an Outlaw
A Western Redemption Tom
The Stage Driver's Daughter Tom Percival
Broncho Billy's Teachings Broncho Billy
The Forester's Plea Rev. Small
Broncho Billy's Word of Honor Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Vengeance Broncho Billy
The Ranchman's Feud The Doctor
The Bad Man's Last Deed The Bad Man
The Bandit's Wife
The Forest Ranger Deputy Marshal Charles Wentworth
The Unknown Claim Bartwell
The Desperado The New Sheriff
Under Western Skies A Cowboy
Trailed to the Hills Harry Forsyth
The Girl on Triple X Jack Hartley
The Dumb Half Breed's Defense The Half-Breed
The Deputy's Love Bob Dean
The Count That Counted
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmam's Sweetheart Broncho Billy
The Millionaire and the Ranch Girl Milton Rodd
He Met the Champion The Referee
The Pony Express Rider Jim Allison
The Tout's Remembrance Bullets Brown
An Indian Girl's Love Jack Sherwood
Broncho Billy's Strategy Broncho Billy
Patricia of the Plains Dick Martin
The Bearded Bandit Curt, the Sheriff
Broncho Billy's Brother Broncho Billy
The Desert Sweetheart Jim Morris
A Western Legacy Walter Johnson
The Dead Man's Claim Jim Durkin
The Sheriff and His Man The Arizona Kid
On El Monte Ranch Jim Andrews - Foreman of the Ranch
A Child of the Purple Sage Bart Darrow
Western Hearts Sam Hardy
Broncho Billy's Gratitude Broncho Billy
Outwitting Papa Tom Phelps
Broncho Billy and the Vigilante Broncho Billy
Outlaw Deputy Buck Stevens
The Girl Back East Jack King
The Foreman's Cousin Bob Knight
A Story of Montana Triggerless Jim Burrows
On the Cactus Trail Jim Andrews
Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Pal Broncho Billy
A Moonshiner's Heart Tom Jackson
The Ranchman's Trust Bill Dunham - Ranch Foreman
Broncho Billy for Sheriff Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Escapade Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Outwitted Broncho Billy
An Indian Sunbeam An Indian
The Ranch Girl's Trial Dave Price
Broncho Billy's Promise Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Brother Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Last Deed Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid Broncho Billy
Western Girls
Broncho Billy's Love Affair Broncho Billy
The Reward for Broncho Billy Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Heart Broncho Billy
An Indian's Friendship Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Maid Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Gun Play Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Ward Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Step-Sisters Broncho Billy
The Influence on Broncho Billy Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Gratefulness Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Sister Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Way Broncho Billy
The Ranch Feud Broncho Billy
The Accusation of Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Reason Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Grit Broncho Billy
The Crazy Prospector Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Express Rider Broncho Billy
The Tenderfoot Sheriff Broncho Billy
The Redeemed Claim Mr. Orr, a Government Assayist
The Man in the Cabin Broncho Billy
A Western Sister's Devotion Broncho Billy
His Regeneration The Regenerate
The Struggle Dr. Sharp
The Wheels of Safety Dr. Sharp
Broncho Billy Gets Square Broncho Billy
The New Schoolmarm of Green River The Sheriff
The Three Gamblers Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Oath Broncho Billy
A Night on the Road Rough Neck
Snakeville's New Doctor Broncho Billy
The Strategy of Broncho Billy's Sweetheart Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Trapped Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Rewarded Broncho Billy
The Calling of Jim Barton Jim Barton
Broncho Billy -- Favorite Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Mother Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Mission Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy -- Gun-Man Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Scheme Broocho Billy
Broncho Billy's Sermon Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Close Call Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Decision Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Leap Broncho Billy
Red Riding Hood of the Hills Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Cunning Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Duty Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy, Outlaw Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Jealousy Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Punishment Broncho Billy
The Tie That Binds The Husband
The Other Girl The Artist
The Revenue Agent Tom
The Wealth of the Poor The Husband
Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber Broncho Billy
The Bachelor's Burglar The Bachelor
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Puts One Over Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Gambler Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Judgment Broncho Billy
The Squatter's Gal Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Double Escape Broncho Billy
The Tell-Tale Hand Broncho Billy
The Western Way The Outlaw
When Love and Honor Called Broncho Billy
The Outlaw's Awakening The Outlaw
Broncho Billy's Wild Ride Broncho Billy
Andy of the Royal Mounted Andy of the Royal Mounted
Broncho Billy Wins Out Broncho Billy
His Wife's Secret The Burglar
The Face at the Curtain The Burglar
Broncho Billy, the Vagabond Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Butts In Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Indian Romance Broncho Billy
Her Realization The Sweetheart
The Little Prospector Broncho Billy
The Bachelor's Baby The Bachelor
Broncho Billy's Protégé Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Marriage Broncho Billy
Her Return The Husband
An Unexpected Romance The Landowner
Broncho Billy Steps In Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Begins Life Anew Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp Broncho Billy
The Convict's Threat The Convict
Broncho Billy and the Lumber King Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy Misled Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy, Sheepman Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Parents Broncho Billy
Suppressed Evidence The Husband
Broncho Billy Evens Matters Broncho Billy
Wine, Women and Song The Young Man
The Indian's Narrow Escape The Indian
The Escape of Broncho Billy Broncho Billy
Her Lesson The Capitalist
A Christmas Revenge Broncho Billy / Santa Claus
Broncho Billy's Love Affair Broncho Billy
Too Much Turkey Frank Potter
The Man in Him John Stone
Humanity Broncho Billy Adair
The Book Agent's Romance The Book Agent
Life with Henry Business Man (uncredited)
Stars of Yesterday Self
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino Self (archive footage)
Smash His Camera Self (archive footage)
The Good-for-Nothing Gilbert Sterling
Broncho Billy's Sentence Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Fatal Joke Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Greaser Broncho Billy
The Son-of-a-Gun Bill
The Making of Broncho Billy Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Baby Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Redemption Broncho Billy
What Happened in the Tunnel
The Cowboy Coward Steve
Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner Broncho Billy
The Train Wreckers Last Train Wrecker
Broncho Billy and the Rustler's Child Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Last Hold-Up Broncho Billy
A Wife of the Hills Bart McGrew
Broncho Billy's Capture Broncho Billy
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes
The Film Parade (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Movies March On Self - from 'The Great Train Robbery' (archive footage)
Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay Self (archive footage)
Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County Broncho Billy
The Bandit King
Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy and the Western Girls Broncho Billy
Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy Broncho Billy
Broncho Billy's Adventure Broncho Billy
Shootin' Mad Broncho Billy
