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: 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
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live from Texas - Night 2 as Himself
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live from Texas - Night 1 as Himself
- 2022 · Metallica Presents: The Helping Hands Concert as Self
- 2022 · Metallica at Lollapalooza 2022 as self
- 2022 · Ennio as Self
- 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 Festivalpark, Werchter, Belgium - July 4th, 1993 as
- 2021 · Metallica - Live At Frankenhalle, Nuremberg, Germany - November 29th, 1992 as
- 2020 · MoPOP Founders Award 2020 Honoring Alice in Chains 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 · Flying V as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live at Yankee Stadium - Bronx, New York - September 14, 2011 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Dallas, Texas - August 3, 2000 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Lisbon, Portugal - June 28, 2007 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Bogotá, Colombia - May 2, 1999 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Salt Lake City, Utah - January 2, 1997 as Himself
- 2020 · History 101 as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Chicago, Illinois - August 12, 1983 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Nickelsdorf, Austria - June 10, 2012 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Muskegon, Michigan (November 1, 1991) as
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as vocals
- 2019 · Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2 as Himself
- 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
- 2017 · Linkin Park and Friends Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · Metallica: Live in Paris, France - Sept 8, 2017 as
- 2017 · Metallica - Live at Outside Lands (San Francisco, CA - August 12, 2017) as
- 2017 · Carpool Karaoke: The Series as Self
- 2017 · Metallica: Lollapalooza Brazil 2017 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2016 · Metallica: Making of Hardwired... to Self-Destruct as
- 2016 · Skylanders Academy as Wolfgang (voice)
- 2016 · Orchestrating An Upset: The 1996 World Cup of Hockey as Himself, Narrator
- 2016 · Metallica: [2016] Rasputin Music, Berkeley as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2016 · Billions as Himself
- 2015 · Mission to Lars as Himself
- 2015 · Metallica: Rock in Rio 2015 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2015 · Randy Johnson: The Big Picture as
- 2014 · Metallica: Masters of Metal as
- 2014 · Metallica: Masters of Metal as Himself
- 2014 · Metallica Live at Blizzcon as Himself
- 2014 · Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II as Himself
- 2014 · 'Tallica Parking Lot as James Hetfield (voice)
- 2014 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2014 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2014 · Hit the Lights: The Making of Metallica "Through the Never" as Self
- 2013 · Metallica: Through the Never as Himself
- 2011 · Metallica: The 30th Anniversary Event as Self
- 2010 · Metallica - The Big 4 Live in Sofia as Vocals, guitars
- 2010 · Lemmy as Self
- Future · Metal Massacre: The Story of the Legendary Album as Self - Metallica
- Future · Metallica_ Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as
- 2012 · Metallica: Quebec Magnetic as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2012 · Anton Corbijn Inside Out as Self
- 2011 · An Evening with Lou Reed & Metallica - Live at Rockpalast as
- 2011 · Metallica: Rock In Rio 2011 as Vocal, Guitar
- 2010 · Metallica: Fan Can 6 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2010 · The Big Four: Live in Sofia as Guitars
- 2010 · Metallica - Master of Puppets (Deluxe Box Set) as Self
- 2009 · Metallica: Fan Can Six Copenhagen as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2009 · Metallica: Live in Copenhagen, Denmark - July 22, 2009 as Himself - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- 2008 · METALLICA the Complete Story as Himself
- 2008 · Metallica: Making Magnetic as
- 2007 · Metallica - Sick of the Studio Tour - LIVE in Wien 2007 as Singer,Guitar
- 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 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2006 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2006 · Heavy Metal: Louder Than Life as Self
- 2006 · Metallica: Fan Can 5 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 Himself
- 2003 · Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- 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
- 1997 · Classic Albums as Self - Guitarist, Vocalist, Metallica
- 1996 · Metallica: Fan Can 1 as Self
- 1995 · The History of Rock 'n' Roll as Self
- 1994 · Space Ghost Coast to Coast as
- 1992 · For Those About to Rock - Monsters In Moscow as
- 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 Himself
- 1989 · The Simpsons as William Rieflin (voice)
- 1989 · Metallica: Live at Shoreline Amphitheatre as Self
- 1989 · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, Seattle 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1989 · Metallica: Newark, Delaware as Self
- 1989 · 2 of One as Himself (Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocal)
- 1988 · Metallica - Live at Hammersmith Odeon as Self - Vocals, Guitars
- 1986 · Metallica: Nagoya, Japan as Vox, Guitars
- 1986 · Metallica: Detroit, Michigan as Vox, 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 · Metallica: Sick Out Of Studio 2007 Oslo as Self
- 2025 · Back to the Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Poor Swedish Me '96 as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: 72 Seasons - Global Premiere as Self
- 2022 · Metallica - Global Citizen Festival 2022 as
- 2022 · Metallica Live Hellfest 2022 as SELF
- 2022 · Metallica: Campo Argentino de Polo as
- 2021 · Metallica: 40th Anniversary - Live at Chase Center (Night 2) as vocals, guitars
- 2021 · Metallica: 40th Anniversary - Live at Chase Center (Night 1) 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 Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - June 13, 2004 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 Madrid, Spain - May 31, 2008 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Melbourne, Australia - March 1, 2013 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: WorldWired Tour - Live in Manchester, England - June 18, 2019 as Himself - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- 2020 · Hypnotizing Power: The Story of Master of Puppets as Self
- 2019 · Metallica : Live in Moscow 2019 as
- 2019 · Metallica - Live in Berlin 2019 as
- 2019 · Live Metallica: Barcelona, Spain - May 5, 2019 as
- 2018 · Sad Hill Unearthed as Self - Musician
- 2016 · Metallica: The Night Before as
- 2015 · Metallica: Rock in Rio USA 2015 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2014 · Metallica: This Monster Lives as Himself
- 2013 · Metallica: Freeze 'Em All - Live in Antarctica as Self - Vocals, Guitars
- 2013 · Surfing Your Dreams as
- 2012 · Metallica: Live in Orion Music Festival as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 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
- 2010 · Metallica: Live at Sonisphere as James Hetfield
- 2008 · Metallica - Rock AM Ring as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2008 · Metallica Touring Europe as
- 2003 · Metallica: MTV Icon as Himself
- 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: Live Covers as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1995 · Metallica: [1995] Loud But Secret as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1993 · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, San Diego 1992 as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1992 · Metallica: [1992] Den Bosch, Netherlands as Vox, Guitars
- 1991 · Metallica: Live Moscow - Monsters of Rock as
- 1990 · Metallica: [1990] Zwolle, Netherlands as
- 1989 · MTV Rockumentary as
- 1985 · Metallica: Metal Hammer Festival as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1985 · Metallica: Day on the Green as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Metallica - The Big 4 Live in Gothenburg, Sweden as
- Future · Metallica: from the off as Self
- 1993 · Metallica: Mexico City, Mexico as Vox, Guitars
- 1986 · Metallica: [1986] Toronto, Canada as Self - Vocals, Guitar
- 1985 · Metallica: Ride The Lightning as Self
- Future · Live Earth: A Concert for a Climate in Crisis 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 in Amsterdam - Night 2 as Self
- 2022 · Metallica Download Festival Germany as
- 2021 · Metallica: Wherever We May Roam as vocals, guitars
- 2021 · Metallica - The Black Album - Music Videos + Halfin’s Home Movies as
- 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 Lima, Peru - March 20, 2014 as Himself
- 2020 · Metallica: Live at Slane Castle as lead vocals, guitar
- 2019 · Live Metallica: Stade de France, Paris - mai 12, 2019 as James Hetfield
- 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 · Metallica - Live at Rock on the Range, Columbus 2017 as
- 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
- 2015 · Metallica: [2015] X Games as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2014 · The Hunt as Narrator
- 2012 · Metallica: Live at Orion Music And More 2012 (1st Night) as
- 2011 · Absent as Himself
- 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 · Aural Amphetamine: Metallica and the Dawn of Thrash as Self
- 2007 · Metallica: Up Close and Personal as Himself
- 2005 · Hard Rock Treasures as Self
- 2000 · Metallica: [2000] Baltimore, Maryland as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1999 · Metallica: Woodstock '99 as Self
- 1986 · Metallica - Roskilde Festival as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Future · Metallica: 40th Anniversary Shows(2021) as
- 2014 · Metallica: Beyond Thunder and Lightning as Himself
- 2011 · The Big 4 as Himself
- 2008 · Metallica: [2008] Rock en France Festival as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2007 · Metallica - Live Earth as Himself
- 2006 · Metallica: The Videos 1989-2004 as Vocalist, Guitarrist
- 2001 · Classic Albums: Metallica - Metallica as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1998 · Metallica: Cunning Stunts as Self
- 1994 · Metallica: Woodstock '94 as
- 1994 · Metallica: Live in Mountain View, CA - July 22, 1994 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 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 - ...And Justice For All as Self
- 1989 · Metallica: [1989] Middletown, NY as Vox, Guitars
- 1987 · Metallica: Cliff 'Em All as Himself (Guitarist / Vocalist)
- 1983 · Metallica - Kill 'Em All in Chicago 1983 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Future · Metallica - Beyond Magnetic [Full EP LIVE at the Fillmore] as
- 1986 · Metallica: [1986] Uniondale, NY as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Metallica at Raadi Airfield Estonia in Tartu as Himself
- 1983 · Metallica: [1983] Kiss the Stone as Vox, Guitars