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.