Gilbert M. Anderson

    Gilbert M. Anderson

    March 20, 1880 (144 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

    The Great Train RobberyThe Great Train Robbery
    The Bounty KillerThe Bounty Killer
    Smash His CameraSmash His Camera
    Broncho Billy and the False NoteBroncho Billy and the False Note
    The Legend of Rudolph ValentinoThe Legend of Rudolph Valentino

    Credits