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 · Metallica as
- 2024 · The Thicket as Simon Deasy
- 2022 · Metallica Presents: The Helping Hands Concert as Self
- 2022 · Ennio as Self
- 2020 · MoPOP Founders Award 2020 Honoring Alice in Chains as Self
- 2020 · Flying V as Self
- 2020 · History 101 as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as vocals
- 2019 · Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2 as Himself
- 2019 · Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile as Officer Bob Hayward
- 2017 · Linkin Park and Friends Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · Carpool Karaoke: The Series as Self
- 2016 · Skylanders Academy as Wolfgang (voice)
- 2016 · Billions as Himself
- 2015 · Metallica: Rock in Rio 2015 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2014 · Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II as Himself
- 2014 · 'Tallica Parking Lot as James Hetfield (voice)
- 2013 · Metallica: Through the Never as Himself
- 2013 · Surfing Your Dreams as
- 2011 · An Evening with Lou Reed & Metallica - Live at Rockpalast as
- 2010 · The Big Four: Live in Sofia as Guitars
- 2010 · Lemmy as Self
- 2009 · Metallica: Live in Copenhagen, Denmark - July 22, 2009 as Himself - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- 2008 · METALLICA the Complete Story as Himself
- 2007 · Seven Ages of Rock as Self
- 2007 · Rock Milestones: Metallica: Master of Puppets as
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Fan #1 (voice)
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Sniper (voice)
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Troll (voice)
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Lorkey (voice)
- 2006 · The Darwin Awards as Self
- 2006 · Heavy Metal: Louder Than Life as Self
- 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 · Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- 2000 · Metallica: Live in Baltimore as Self - Vocals/Guitar
- 1997 · Classic Albums as Self - Guitarist, Vocalist, Metallica
- 1995 · The History of Rock 'n' Roll as Self
- 1994 · Space Ghost Coast to Coast as
- 1993 · Metallica: Mexico City, Mexico 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
- 1989 · The Simpsons as William Rieflin (voice)
- 1989 · Metallica: Newark, Delaware as Self
- 1988 · Metallica - Live at Hammersmith Odeon as Self - Vocals, Guitars
- 1984 · MTV Video Music Awards as Self
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Musical Guest
- 1972 · Deep Purple: Made In Japan as Self
- Future · Metal Massacre: The Story of the Legendary Album as Self - Metallica
- Future · Metallica_ Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as
- 2025 · Back to the Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow as Self
- 2025 · Metallica Saved My Life as Self
- 2024 · Metallica: Helping Hands Concert & Auction as Self
- 2022 · Metallica - Global Citizen Festival 2022 as
- 2022 · Metallica at Lollapalooza 2022 as self
- 2021 · Metallica: 40th Anniversary - Live at Chase Center (Night 1) as vocals, guitars
- 2021 · Metallica - Live At Festivalpark, Werchter, Belgium - July 4th, 1993 as
- 2021 · Metallica - Live at Gentofte Stadion, Copenhagen, Denmark - August 10th, 1991 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica - The All Within My Hands Helping Hands Concert & Auction as
- 2020 · Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live at Yankee Stadium - Bronx, New York - September 14, 2011 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Bogotá, Colombia - May 2, 1999 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Melbourne, Australia - March 1, 2013 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Nickelsdorf, Austria - June 10, 2012 as Himself
- 2019 · Metallica : Live in Moscow 2019 as
- 2019 · Metallica - Live in Berlin 2019 as
- 2019 · Murder in the Front Row: The San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Story as Self
- 2018 · Sad Hill Unearthed as Self - Musician
- 2017 · Metallica - Live at Outside Lands (San Francisco, CA - August 12, 2017) as
- 2017 · Metallica - Live at Rock on the Range, Columbus 2017 as
- 2017 · Metallica: Lollapalooza Brazil 2017 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2016 · Metallica: Making of Hardwired... to Self-Destruct as
- 2016 · Metallica: [2016] Rasputin Music, Berkeley as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2016 · Metallica: The Night Before as
- 2015 · Mission to Lars as Himself
- 2015 · Metallica: Rock in Rio USA 2015 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2014 · Metallica Live at Blizzcon as Himself
- 2014 · Hit the Lights: The Making of Metallica "Through the Never" as Self
- 2013 · Metallica: Freeze 'Em All - Live in Antarctica as Self - Vocals, Guitars
- 2012 · Metallica: Quebec Magnetic as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2012 · Anton Corbijn Inside Out as Self
- 2011 · Metallica: The 30th Anniversary Event as Self
- 2011 · Metallica: Rock In Rio 2011 as Vocal, Guitar
- 2010 · Metallica: Fan Can 6 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2010 · Metallica - The Big 4 Live in Sofia as Vocals, guitars
- 2010 · Metallica - Master of Puppets (Deluxe Box Set) as Self
- 2009 · Metallica: Fan Can Six Copenhagen as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2008 · Metallica - Rock AM Ring as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2006 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2006 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2006 · Metallica: Fan Can 5 as Vocals, Guitars
- 1999 · Metallica: Woodstock '99 as Self
- 1996 · Metallica: Fan Can 1 as Self
- 1993 · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, Mexico City 1993 The Film as
- 1992 · Metallica: Live at San Diego as Himself
- 1989 · Metallica: Live at Shoreline Amphitheatre as Self
- 1989 · Metallica - Live Shit - Binge & Purge, Seattle 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1989 · 2 of One as Himself (Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocal)
- 1986 · Metallica: Nagoya, Japan as Vox, Guitars
- 1986 · Metallica: Detroit, Michigan as Vox, Guitars
- 1985 · Metallica: Day on the Green as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Metallica: Sick Out Of Studio 2007 Oslo as Self
- 1985 · Metallica: Ride The Lightning as Self
- Future · Metallica: 40th Anniversary Shows(2021) as
- Future · Metallica: from the off as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Polar Beach Party as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Poor Swedish Me '96 as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Studio Shit + U.K. Shenanigans as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: On the Air (Music Videos + TV Appearances) as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live from Texas - Night 2 as Himself
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live from Texas - Night 1 as Himself
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live in Amsterdam - Night 2 as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: 72 Seasons - Global Premiere as Self
- 2022 · Metallica Live Hellfest 2022 as SELF
- 2022 · Metallica Download Festival Germany as
- 2022 · Metallica: Campo Argentino de Polo as
- 2021 · Metallica: 40th Anniversary - Live at Chase Center (Night 2) as vocals, guitars
- 2021 · Metallica - Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica Outtakes as
- 2021 · Metallica - Live at Gentofte Stadion, Copenhagen, Denmark August 10, 1991 + Bonus Shit as Self
- 2021 · Metallica - Live At Frankenhalle, Nuremberg, Germany - November 29th, 1992 as
- 2021 · Metallica: Wherever We May Roam as vocals, guitars
- 2021 · Metallica - The Black Album - Music Videos + Halfin’s Home Movies as
- 2021 · Metallica: Live in Lincoln, Nebraska - September 6, 2018 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica Helping Hands Concert & Auction: Live & Acoustic From HQ as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Mexico City, Mexico - March 3, 2017 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - June 13, 2004 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Dallas, Texas - August 3, 2000 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica - Live in Irvine, California - September 23, 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Berlin, Germany - June 6, 2006 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Lisbon, Portugal - June 28, 2007 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Madrid, Spain - May 31, 2008 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: WorldWired Tour - Live in Manchester, England - June 18, 2019 as Himself - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Salt Lake City, Utah - January 2, 1997 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Lima, Peru - March 20, 2014 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Chicago, Illinois - August 12, 1983 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Muskegon, Michigan (November 1, 1991) as
- 2020 · Metallica: Live at Slane Castle as lead vocals, guitar
- 2020 · Hypnotizing Power: The Story of Master of Puppets as Self
- 2019 · Live Metallica: Stade de France, Paris - mai 12, 2019 as James Hetfield
- 2019 · Live Metallica: Barcelona, Spain - May 5, 2019 as
- 2017 · Metallica: Live in Paris, France - Sept 8, 2017 as
- 2017 · Metallica - Live from Edmonton, Canada - August 16, 2017 as vocals
- 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
- 2017 · Cum On Feel The Noize as Self
- 2016 · Metallica - Hardwired... To Self-Destruct Videos as Voice & Rithm Guitar
- 2016 · Metallica: Live from The House of Vans as Vocals, guitars
- 2016 · Orchestrating An Upset: The 1996 World Cup of Hockey as Himself, Narrator
- 2015 · Randy Johnson: The Big Picture as
- 2015 · Metallica: [2015] X Games as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2014 · Metallica: Masters of Metal as Himself
- 2014 · Metallica: Masters of Metal as
- 2014 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2014 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2014 · The Hunt as Narrator
- 2014 · Metallica: This Monster Lives as Himself
- 2014 · Metallica: Beyond Thunder and Lightning as Himself
- 2012 · Metallica: Live in Orion Music Festival as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2012 · Metallica: Live at Orion Music And More 2012 (1st Night) 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 · Absent as Himself
- 2011 · The Big 4 as Himself
- 2010 · Metallica: Live at Sonisphere as James Hetfield
- 2009 · Metallica: Pride, Passion and Glory - Three Nights in Mexico City as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2009 · Metallica: Hall of Fame 2009 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2009 · Metallica: Français pour une nuit as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 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
- 2007 · Metallica: Up Close and Personal as Himself
- 2007 · Metallica - Live Earth as Himself
- 2007 · Metallica - Sick of the Studio Tour - LIVE in Wien 2007 as Singer,Guitar
- 2006 · Metallica: The Videos 1989-2004 as Vocalist, Guitarrist
- 2005 · Hard Rock Treasures as Self
- 2003 · Metallica: St. Anger Rehearsals as Himself
- 2003 · Metallica: MTV Icon as Himself
- 2001 · Classic Albums: Metallica - Metallica as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2000 · Metallica: [2000] Baltimore, Maryland as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1999 · Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M as Self
- 1999 · Metallica: Making of S&M as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1999 · Metallica With Michael Kamen Conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra – S&M as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 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
- 1995 · Metallica: [1995] Loud But Secret as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1994 · Metallica: Woodstock '94 as
- 1994 · Metallica: Live in Mountain View, CA - July 22, 1994 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1993 · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, San Diego 1992 as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1993 · Metallican Vid as Himself (Rhythm/Lead Vocal)
- 1993 · Metallica: [1993] Basel, Switzerland as Vox, Guitars
- 1993 · Metallica: [1993] Santiago, Chile as Vox, Guitars
- 1992 · Metallica: [1992] Den Bosch, Netherlands as Vox, Guitars
- 1992 · For Those About to Rock - Monsters In Moscow as
- 1992 · Metallica - ...And Justice For All as Self
- 1991 · Metallica: Live Moscow - Monsters of Rock as
- 1990 · Metallica: [1990] Zwolle, Netherlands as
- 1989 · Metallica: [1989] Middletown, NY as Vox, Guitars
- 1989 · MTV Rockumentary as
- Future · Live Earth: A Concert for a Climate in Crisis as Self
- Future · Metallica - The Big 4 Live in Gothenburg, Sweden as
- 1987 · Metallica: Cliff 'Em All as Himself (Guitarist / Vocalist)
- 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
- Future · Metallica - Beyond Magnetic [Full EP LIVE at the Fillmore] as
- Future · Metallica at Raadi Airfield Estonia in Tartu as Himself
- 1986 · Metallica: [1986] Uniondale, NY as Vox, Guitars
- 1983 · Metallica - Kill 'Em All in Chicago 1983 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1983 · Metallica: [1983] Kiss the Stone as Vox, Guitars