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Deliverance's Bill McKinney Dead at 80

Bill McKinney, best known for his role in Deliverance, has died after a battle with esophageal cancer, according to his Facebook page. He was 80. "Today our dear Bill McKinney passed away at...

Natalie Abrams
Natalie Abrams

Bill McKinney, best known for his role in Deliverance, has died after a battle with esophageal cancer, according to his Facebook page. He was 80.

"Today our dear Bill McKinney passed away at Valley Presbyterian Hospice," read the statement on his page. "He was 80 and still strong enough to have filmed a Dorito's commercial 2 weeks prior to his passing, and he continued to work on his biography with his writing partner. Hopefully 2012 will bring a publisher for the wild ride his life was."

See other celebs we lost this year

In addition to playing the sadistic mountain man who wanted to make his victim "squeal like a pig" in Deliverance, McKinney appeared in seven Clint Eastwood films, including The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Gauntletand Pink Cadillac. He also had roles in the movies The Green Mile and How Do You Know, among others, and made TV appearances on Baywatchand Hunter.

McKinney is survived by his son, Clinton, and multiple ex-wives.