Top 5 TV and Movie Finger Snappers

I talked awhile back about how certain clothing can actually remind you of a TV show or character. Course, sometimes actions we take can have the same effect. For example, snapping the fingers. Yeah it seems like a simple thing, everyone does it, and yet some characters manage to make it their own. When done correctly snapping fingers can convey confidence and power, and in the case of Thanos can even wipe out an entire universe!

In comics DC gave us Snapper Carr early on, who was the JLA mascot in the silver age and his gimmick was obsessively snapping his fingers. It’d take to long to get into this character’s history, suffice to say he has a long history with DC and even had powers for a time. And forget that awful version in Supergirl where they took the name and made it a totally different character.




Here’s my top 5:



#5.West Side Story
So you have a musical about gangs. You want to convey that these gangs are serious, but you don’t want them to playing with guns or knives. What do you do? Yeah West Side Story shows us that finger snapping can be serious.

#4.The Addams Family
Where did this come from? Was it to accompany the music, or did they realize not having the characters do anything but stand there staring at the audience was annoying? Either way The Addams Family made finger snapping popular when it’s accompanied with that creepy and kookie music. You think finger snapping, chances you think of The Addams Family.

#3.In Living Color
Another reason for snapping fingers is to show attitude. And that is personified in this clip fom In Living Color. The sassy snap is seen all over the place, even…The Cat in The Hat????

Here’s another awesome one…

#2.Star Trek TNG
A lot of the times when Q uses his power to torment the crew, or some other alien, he uses a finger snap to cause the trouble. I’ve talked before about how awesome Q was, and how cool John De Lancie made that little gesture just a little menacing.

#1.Happy Days
Duh, I mean who else? Fonzie takes the finger snapping from West Side Story and rather than it be a warning of danger, it’s a charming call for affection. With the snap of his fingers Fonzie can get any girl, and other strange tricks this awesome chatacyer pulled off because he was sooo cool.

And yes one last reason to snap fingers is because you’re enjoying your favorite music. In fact a lot of times the artist will be snapping along in the video. Sadly I could not find a good clip to convey this, but I’m sure you can come with a few examples.


It is funny how such a simple gesture can be so badass. Did I miss your favorite? Comment and let me know.