17:15, 05 Nov 2025<\/p>\n
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Billy Redden was hand picked to star in Deliverance because of his haunted expression(Image: Unknown)<\/p>\n
At 15, Billy Redden might have expected a career on the silver screen after appearing in Oscar-nominated movie Deliverance.<\/p>\n
But despite being one of the most unmistakable faces in Hollywood for a brief period in the 1970s, his life went in a wholly different direction, a far cry from the bright lights of Tinsel Town.<\/p>\n
Now 69, he’s unrecognisable after “struggling really hard to make ends meet”.<\/p>\n
Deliverance, a disturbing thriller directed by Brit John Boorman, was a smash hit when it came out in 1972. It was nominated for three Oscars – Best Picture, Best Director and Best Editing.<\/p>\n
Young Billy’s appearance in the film was brief, but arguably the most memorable.<\/p>\n
He was hand-picked by Boorman, who was scouting local schoolchildren in Georgia, US, for the iconic Duelling Banjos scene. He wasn’t a trained actor nor could he play the banjo, but Boorman thought his haunted expression made him perfect for the role.<\/p>\n
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He worked a string of odd jobs – from store associate at Walmart, dishwasher, to caf\u00e9 hand(Image: Billy Redden)<\/p>\n
A musician hid behind him to create the illusion, but Billy’s awkward stare made him a movie star overnight. In the film, he played \u201cbackwoods mountain boy\u201d Lonnie, who gets into a musical duel with a businessman on a canoe trip.<\/p>\n
Deliverance raked in millions and became a timeless classic, but Billy saw little of the profits. Paid only a modest fee for his work, he returned to small-town life once the cameras stopped rolling.<\/p>\n
Initially, he tried to capitalise on the fame and organised tourist trips down the Chattooga River, which was featured in the film. He later worked a string of jobs, including store associate at Walmart, dishwasher and cafe hand.<\/p>\n
![\"Billy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_2018-LA-Film-Festival-Screening-Of-hillbilly.jpg\")
He also tried to capitalise on the fame and organised tourist trips down the Chattooga River(Image: Getty Images for Film Independent)<\/p>\n
Billy also played \u201cbanjo man\u201d in a number of other films, including Tim Burton\u2019s 2003 hit Big Fish, Outrage: Born in Terror, Blue Collar TV, and Blastfighter.<\/p>\n
In the 2012 documentary, The Deliverance of Rabun County, Billy discussed his financial struggles.<\/p>\n
He told producers: \u201cI’d like to have all the money I thought I’d make from this movie. I wouldn’t be working at Walmart right now. And I’m struggling really hard to make ends meet.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Billy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Chiller-Theater-Expo-Day-1.jpg\")
He was paid only a modest fee for his star turn in Deliverance(Image: WireImage)<\/p>\n
He went on to defend the reputation of the county, adding: \u201cWe’re not a bad people up here, we’re a loving people. Rabun County is a pretty good town. It’s real peaceful, not a lot of crime going on. Everybody pretty much gets along with everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
Billy has now been retired for several years and has \u201cmounting medical bills\u201d and a lack of social security support, according to close friend Kip Ramey.<\/p>\n