Billy Redden of Rabun County, Georgia, played the role of "Lonny," the banjo-playing boy in the 1972 film Deliverance. Redden and his wife Annette run a restaurant called the "Cooke jar Cafe" in Georgia. In 2004 he appeared in a sketch for comedian Jeff Foxworthy's television show, Blue Collar TV. Redden also made a cameo in the 2003 Tim Burton film Big Fish, playing a dishwasher.TheClaytonTribune.com: Another Celebrity Appearance For Rabun Star (October 7, 2008)
When Billy Redden was 11 years old, he was chosen by director John Boorman to play the role of Lonny in the 1972 film Deliverance. At the time Redden was a student at Clayton Elementary School. He was chosen for his "indigenous" looks. Redden could not actually play the banjo, so the directer hired a banjo player to act as a body double. The real banjo player was behind Redden and fretted the notes with his left hand.The Independent: Deliverance: Billy's Back With His Bango (November 16, 2003)
Banjo Kid in Deliverance
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First role was in the 1972 film Deliverance
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Played the role of "Lonny," the boy who played the banjo on the porch in the "Dueling Banjos" scene
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