| Ralph Foody | |
| Birth Name: | Ralph Wesley Foody |
| Birth Date: | 13 November 1928 |
| Birth Place: | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Resting Place: | Lexington Cemetery, Lexington |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Notable Works: | Home Alone, |
| Years Active: | 1965–1992 |
Ralph Wesley Foody (November 13, 1928 - November 21, 1999)[1] was an American actor. He was best known for his role as Johnny in Home Alone (1990) and (1992).
Foody was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 13, 1928.
Foody had several screen credits from the 1980s, including the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Raw Deal and 1991's Dillinger, which featured fellow gangster actor Lawrence Tierney.
In 1990, Foody played 1930s mobster Johnny in the 1990 film Home Alone and in 1992.[2] As Johnny, Foody appears 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.).[3] His appearances are notable for the famous catchphrases 'Keep the change ya filthy animal' and 'Merry Christmas ya filthy animal – and a Happy New Year'.[4] His appearance in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was also his final acting role. Originally, he was intended to play Snakes, the character whom Johnny kills in the first Angels with Filthy Souls and Michael Guido was intended to play Johnny. However, having just undergone a knee replacement surgery, he was unable to do the death scene where Snakes drops to his knees, leading to the roles being reversed.[5]
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.
After filming Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Foody retired from acting. He moved to Lexington, Kentucky where he remained until his death.
Foody died of cancer on November 21, 1999, eight days after his 71st birthday.[6]
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Mickey One | Police Captain | Arthur Penn | |
| 1980 | The Blues Brothers | Chicago Police Dispatcher | John Landis | |
| 1981 | Chicago Story | Sergeant Hesper | Harvey S. Laidman & Jerry London | Made-for-TV movie |
| 1984 | The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck | Bit Role | Simon Langton | Made-for-TV movie |
| 1985 | Lady Blue | Howe | Gary Nelson | Made into TV series |
| Lady Blue | Captain Flynn | Various | 14 episodes | |
| Code of Silence | Detective Cragie | Chuck Norris film | ||
| 1986 | Raw Deal | Captain Sam Joyce | John Irvin | |
| Vice Versa | Doorman | Brian Gilbert | ||
| 1988 | Above the Law | Federal Clerk | Andrew Davis | |
| Betrayed | Lyle | Costa-Gavras | ||
| 1989 | The Package | Building Manager | Andrew Davis | |
| Music Box | Pawn Broker | Costa-Gavras | ||
| Cold Justice | Ernie | Terry Green | ||
| 1990 | Gabriel's Fire | Hot Dog Vendor | Robert Lieberman | Episode; "Gabriel's Fire" |
| Home Alone | Gangster Johnny | Chris Columbus | In the scene from a film on TV "Angels with Filthy Souls" | |
| 1991 | Curly Sue | Drifter | John Hughes | |
| 1992 | Straight Talk | Desk Clerk | Barnet Kellman | |
| The Babe | Pittsburgh Man | Arthur Hiller | Bit role | |
| Gangster Johnny | Chris Columbus | In the scene from a film on TV "Angels with Even Filthier Souls" and final acting role |