Portrait of Ralph Foody

Ralph Foody

Acting

Biography

Ralph Wesley Foody was an American character actor. He has several screen credits from the 1980s, but is probably best known for his bit part in the 1990 film Home Alone and its 1992 sequel as a stereotypical 1930s mobster "Johnny" in two black-and-white gangster films-within-the-films Angels with Filthy Souls and its sequel Angels with Even Filthier Souls (both are a parody of the 1938 film Angels with Dirty Faces by Warner Bros.), along with his famous catchphrases 'Keep the change ya filthy animal/Merry Christmas ya filthy animal and a Happy New Year'. Foody also played "Det. Cragie", the alcoholic and the negligent Chicago cop in Code of Silence, as well as the police dispatcher in The Blues Brothers. He was also known for his incredible wit and was often referred to as "The Witster" on set. Foody died of cancer in 1999 at age 71.

Born: November 13, 1928

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Filmography

1992
Straight Talk

as Desk Clerk

1992
Cold Justice

as Ernie

1991
Curly Sue

as Drifter

1991
Dillinger

as Dillinger's Father

1990
Home Alone

as Gangster #1 (Johnny)

1989
Music Box

as Pawn Broker

1989
The Package

as Building Manager

1988
Betrayed

as Lyle

1988
Above the Law

as Federal Clerk

1988
Vice Versa

as Doorman

1986
Raw Deal

as Captain

1985
Lady Blue

as Howe

1985
1981
Chicago Story

as Sergeant Hesper

1980
The Blues Brothers

as Police Dispatcher

1978
Towing

as Lou

1965
Mickey One

as Police Captain