James Hetfield
James Alan Hetfield is an American musician and songwriter best known for being the co-founder, lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield is mainly known for his intricate rhythm playing, but occasionally performs lead guitar duties and solos, both live and in the studio. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering an advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler. Metallica has won nine Grammy Awards and released ten studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays and 24 singles. In 2009, Hetfield was ranked at no. 8 in Joel McIver's book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists and no. 24 by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Metal Vocalists of All Time. In Guitar World's poll, Hetfield was placed as the 19th greatest guitarist of all time, as well as being placed second (along with Metallica lead guitarist Kirk Hammett) in The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists poll of the same magazine. Rolling Stone placed Hetfield as the 87th greatest guitarist of all time. This page is based on a Wikipedia article written by contributors. Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Known For
Credits
- 2025 · Ozzy: No Escape from Now as Self
- 2025 · Back to the Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Polar Beach Party as Self
- 2025 · Metallica Saved My Life as Self
- 2024 · Metallica: Helping Hands Concert & Auction as Self
- 2024 · The Thicket as Simon Deasy
- 2022 · Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head as James Hetfield (voice)
- 2022 · Metallica at Lollapalooza 2022 as self
- 2022 · Metallica Download Festival Germany as
- 2022 · Ennio as Self
- 2021 · Metallica - Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica Outtakes as
- 2021 · Metallica - Live At Festivalpark, Werchter, Belgium - July 4th, 1993 as
- 2021 · Metallica - The Black Album - Music Videos + Halfin’s Home Movies as
- 2021 · Metallica - Live At Frankenhalle, Nuremberg, Germany - November 29th, 1992 as
- 2020 · MoPOP Founders Award 2020 Honoring Alice in Chains as Self
- 2020 · Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away as Self
- 2020 · Flying V as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: WorldWired Tour - Live in Manchester, England - June 18, 2019 as Self - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- 2020 · History 101 as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Nickelsdorf, Austria - June 10, 2012 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live at Slane Castle as lead vocals, guitar
- 2019 · Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2 as Self
- 2019 · Metallica - Live in Berlin 2019 as
- 2019 · Murder in the Front Row: The San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Story as Self
- 2019 · Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile as Officer Bob Hayward
- 2018 · Sad Hill Unearthed as Self - Musician
- 2017 · Linkin Park and Friends Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · Metallica - Live at Outside Lands (San Francisco, CA - August 12, 2017) as
- 2017 · Carpool Karaoke: The Series as Self
- 2017 · Who the Fuck Is That Guy?: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago as Self
- 2017 · Addicted to Porn: Chasing the Cardboard Butterfly as Narrator
- 2016 · Skylanders Academy as Wolfgang (voice)
- 2016 · Metallica: [2016] Rasputin Music, Berkeley as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2016 · Billions as Metallica
- 2015 · The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self - Musical Guest
- 2014 · Metallica: Masters of Metal as Self
- 2014 · Metallica Live at Blizzcon as Self
- 2014 · The Hunt as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2013 · Metallica: Freeze 'Em All - Live in Antarctica as Self - Vocals, Guitars
- 2013 · Metallica: Through the Never as Self
- 2012 · Metallica: Quebec Magnetic as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2012 · Metallica: Live at Orion Music And More 2012 (1st Night) as
- 2012 · Anton Corbijn Inside Out as Self
- 2011 · The Big 4 as Self
- 2010 · Metallica: Fan Can 6 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2010 · Metallica: The Big 4 Live in Sofia as Vocals, guitars
- 2010 · Metallica: Live at Sonisphere as Self
- 2010 · Metallica: Master of Puppets (Deluxe Box Set) as Self
- 2010 · Lemmy as Self
- 2009 · Metallica: Hall of Fame 2009 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2009 · Metallica: Fan Can Six Copenhagen as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2007 · Metallica: Up Close and Personal as Self
- 2007 · The Darwin Awards as Self
- 2007 · Seven Ages of Rock as Self
- 2007 · Rock Milestones: Metallica: Master of Puppets as
- 2006 · Metallica: The Videos 1989-2004 as Vocalist, Guitarrist
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Fan #1 (voice)
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Lorkey (voice)
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Troll (voice)
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Sniper (voice)
- 2006 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2006 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2005 · De Wereld Draait Door as Self
- 2005 · The Work of Director Anton Corbijn as Self (segments "Hero of the Day" and "Mama Said")
- 2005 · American Dad! as James Hetfield (voice)
- 2005 · The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson as Self
- 2004 · Metallica: Some Kind of Monster as Self
- 2003 · Metallica: St. Anger Rehearsals as Self
- 2003 · Metallica: MTV Icon as Self
- 2003 · Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- 2000 · Metallica: Live in Baltimore as Self - Vocals/Guitar
- 1999 · Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M as Self
- 1999 · Metallica: [1999] Plovdiv, Bulgaria as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1998 · Metallica: Cunning Stunts as Self
- 1998 · Metallica: Live Covers as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1997 · Classic Albums as Self - Guitarist, Vocalist, Metallica
- 1996 · Metallica: Fan Can 1 as Self
- 1995 · Metallica: [1995] Loud But Secret as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1994 · Space Ghost Coast to Coast as
- 1993 · Metallican Vid as Self - Rhythm/Lead Vocal
- 1993 · Metallica: [1993] Basel, Switzerland as Vox, Guitars
- 1992 · Later... with Jools Holland as Self
- 1992 · Metallica: A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica as Self
- 1992 · The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert as Self
- 1992 · Metallica: Live at San Diego as Self
- 1990 · Metallica: [1990] Zwolle, Netherlands as
- 1989 · Heavy Metal Heaven Hosted by Elvira as Himself - Metalica
- 1989 · The Simpsons as William Rieflin (voice)
- 1989 · Metallica - Live in Irvine, California - September 23, 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1989 · 2 of One as Self (Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocal)
- 1989 · MTV Rockumentary as
- 1984 · MTV Video Music Awards as Self
- Future · Live Earth: A Concert for a Climate in Crisis as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live from Texas - Night 1 as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live in Amsterdam - Night 2 as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: 72 Seasons - Global Premiere as Self
- 2022 · Metallica Presents: The Helping Hands Concert as Self
- 2022 · Metallica: Campo Argentino de Polo as
- 2021 · Metallica: 40th Anniversary - Live at Chase Center (Night 2) as vocals, guitars
- 2021 · Metallica - Live at Gentofte Stadion, Copenhagen, Denmark August 10, 1991 + Bonus Shit as Self
- 2020 · Metallica Helping Hands Concert & Auction: Live & Acoustic From HQ as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - June 13, 2004 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Dallas, Texas - August 3, 2000 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Berlin, Germany - June 6, 2006 as Cast
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Madrid, Spain - May 31, 2008 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Melbourne, Australia - March 1, 2013 as Self
- 2020 · Hypnotizing Power: The Story of Master of Puppets as Self
- 2019 · Live Metallica: Stade de France, Paris - mai 12, 2019 as Self
- 2017 · Metallica: Live in Paris, France - Sept 8, 2017 as
- 2017 · Metallica - Live at Rock on the Range, Columbus 2017 as
- 2017 · Cum On Feel The Noize as Self
- 2016 · Metallica: Live from The House of Vans as Self - vocals, guitars
- 2016 · Metallica - Hardwired... To Self-Destruct Videos as Voice & Rithm Guitar
- 2016 · Metallica: The Night Before as
- 2015 · Mission to Lars as Self
- 2015 · Metallica: Rock in Rio 2015 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2015 · Randy Johnson: The Big Picture as
- 2014 · Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II as Self
- 2014 · 'Tallica Parking Lot as Self (voice)
- 2014 · Metallica: This Monster Lives as Self
- 2014 · Hit the Lights: The Making of Metallica "Through the Never" as Self
- 2013 · Surfing Your Dreams as
- 2012 · Metallica: The Black Album as
- 2012 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2012 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2012 · Metallica: Live at Rock im Park 2012 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2012 · Metallica: Rock in Rio as Vox, Guitars
- 2011 · Metallica: The 30th Anniversary Event as Self
- 2011 · An Evening with Lou Reed & Metallica - Live at Rockpalast as
- 2010 · The Big Four: Live in Sofia as Guitars
- 2009 · Metallica: Pride, Passion and Glory - Three Nights in Mexico City as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2009 · Metallica: Français pour une nuit as Self - Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2008 · Metallica - Rock AM Ring as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2007 · Metallica - Live Earth as Self
- 2007 · Metallica - Sick of the Studio Tour - LIVE in Wien 2007 as Singer,Guitar
- 2006 · Heavy Metal: Louder Than Life as Self
- 2001 · Classic Albums: Metallica - Metallica as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2000 · Woodstock '99 as
- 1999 · Metallica With Michael Kamen Conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra – S&M as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1999 · Metallica: Making of S&M as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1993 · Metallica: [1993] Santiago, Chile as Vox, Guitars
- 1992 · For Those About to Rock - Monsters In Moscow as
- 1992 · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, San Diego 1992 as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1989 · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, Seattle 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1985 · Metallica: Ride The Lightning as Self
- Future · Metallica - The Big 4 Live in Gothenburg, Sweden as
- 1988 · Metallica - Live at Hammersmith Odeon as Self - Vocals, Guitars
- 1972 · Deep Purple: Made In Japan as Self
- Future · Metallica: Sick Out Of Studio 2007 Oslo as Self
- 1994 · Metallica: Live in Mountain View, CA - July 22, 1994 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1991 · Metallica: Live Moscow - Monsters of Rock as
- 1989 · Metallica: Live at Shoreline Amphitheatre as Self
- 1989 · Metallica: Newark, Delaware as Self
- 1989 · Metallica: [1989] Middletown, NY as Vox, Guitars
- 1987 · Metallica: Cliff 'Em All as Self - Guitarist / Vocalist
- 1986 · Metallica: Nagoya, Japan as Vox, Guitars
- 1986 · Metallica: [1986] Uniondale, NY as Vox, Guitars
- 1986 · Metallica: Detroit, Michigan as Vox, Guitars
- 1983 · Metallica: [1983] Kiss the Stone as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Metallica at Raadi Airfield Estonia in Tartu as Self
- Future · Metallica: from the off as Self
- 1985 · Metallica: Day on the Green as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Metal Massacre: The Story of the Legendary Album as Self - Metallica
- 2025 · Di'Anno: Iron Maiden's Lost Singer as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Studio Shit + U.K. Shenanigans as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Poor Swedish Me '96 as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: On the Air (Music Videos + TV Appearances) as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live from Texas - Night 2 as Self
- 2022 · Metallica - Global Citizen Festival 2022 as
- 2022 · Metallica Live Hellfest 2022 as Self
- 2021 · Metallica: 40th Anniversary - Live at Chase Center (Night 1) as vocals, guitars
- 2021 · Metallica: Wherever We May Roam as vocals, guitars
- 2021 · Metallica - Live at Gentofte Stadion, Copenhagen, Denmark - August 10th, 1991 as Self
- 2021 · Metallica: Live in Lincoln, Nebraska - September 6, 2018 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica - The All Within My Hands Helping Hands Concert & Auction as
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Mexico City, Mexico - March 3, 2017 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live at Yankee Stadium - Bronx, New York - September 14, 2011 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Lisbon, Portugal - June 28, 2007 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Bogotá, Colombia - May 2, 1999 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Salt Lake City, Utah - January 2, 1997 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Lima, Peru - March 20, 2014 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Chicago, Illinois - August 12, 1983 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Muskegon, Michigan (November 1, 1991) as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as vocals
- 2019 · Metallica : Live in Moscow 2019 as
- 2019 · Live Metallica: Barcelona, Spain - May 5, 2019 as
- 2017 · Metallica - Live from Edmonton, Canada - August 16, 2017 as vocals
- 2017 · Metallica: Lollapalooza Brazil 2017 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2016 · Metallica: Making of Hardwired... to Self-Destruct as
- 2016 · Orchestrating An Upset: The 1996 World Cup of Hockey as Self / Narrator
- 2015 · Metallica: [2015] X Games as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2015 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as Self
- 2014 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2014 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2012 · Metallica: Live in Orion Music Festival as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Future · Metallica: 40th Anniversary Shows Live at Chase Center 2021 as
- 2014 · Metallica: Beyond Thunder and Lightning as Self
- 2011 · Metallica: Rock In Rio 2011 as Vocal, Guitar
- 2011 · Absent as Self
- 2009 · Metallica: Live in Copenhagen, Denmark - July 22, 2009 as Self - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- 2008 · METALLICA the Complete Story as Self
- 2008 · Metallica: Making Magnetic as
- 2008 · Metallica: [2008] Rock en France Festival as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2008 · Aural Amphetamine: Metallica and the Dawn of Thrash as Self
- 2008 · Metallica Touring Europe as
- 2006 · Metallica: Fan Can 5 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2005 · Hard Rock Treasures as Self
- 2000 · Metallica: [2000] Baltimore, Maryland as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1999 · Metallica: Woodstock '99 as Self
- 1994 · Metallica: Woodstock '94 as
- 1993 · Metallica: Mexico City, Mexico as Vox, Guitars
- 1992 · Metallica: [1992] Den Bosch, Netherlands as Vox, Guitars
- 1992 · Metallica - ...And Justice For All as Self
- 1986 · Metallica: [1986] Toronto, Canada as Self - Vocals, Guitar
- 1986 · Metallica - Roskilde Festival as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1985 · Metallica: Metal Hammer Festival as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1983 · Metallica - Kill 'Em All in Chicago 1983 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Future · Metallica - Beyond Magnetic [Full EP LIVE at the Fillmore] as
- Future · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge as