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.
Broncho Billy and the Card SharpWine, Women and Song
The Bachelor's BurglarHer RealizationThe Little ProspectorHer Return
The Tell-Tale HandBroncho Billy's MarriageBroncho Billy's Parents
The Face at the CurtainThe Tie That Binds
His Wife's Secret
Ingomar of the HillsBroncho Billy Evens Matters
The PestHer LessonAn Awful Skate; or, The Hobo on RollersThe Escape of Broncho Billy
HumanityThe Bad Man and the Preacher
