
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.

The Champion
1915 · as Enthusiastic Fan (uncredited)

The Great Train Robbery
1903 · as Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)

His Regeneration
1915 · as The Regenerate

Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs
2000 · as (archive footage)

Broncho Billy's Love Affair
1915 · as Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy and the Gambler
1914 · as Broncho Billy

Tag Day
1909

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy
1912 · as Broncho Billy

The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
1961 · as Self (archive footage)

The Escape of Broncho Billy
1915 · as Broncho Billy

Life with Henry
1941 · as Business Man (uncredited)

The Bounty Killer
1965 · as The Man in the Cantina

Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner
1911 · as Broncho Billy

The Cattle King's Daughter
1912 · as Buck Brady

Broncho Billy's Sermon
1914 · as Broncho Billy

Broncho Billy, Sheepman
1915 · as Broncho Billy

An Indian's Friendship
1912 · as Broncho Billy

The Girl and the Fugitive
1910 · as Ross White