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 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 · Ennio as Self
- 2020 · MoPOP Founders Award 2020 Honoring Alice in Chains as Self
- 2020 · History 101 as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2 as Self
- 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 · Carpool Karaoke: The Series as Self
- 2017 · Who the Fuck Is That Guy?: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago as Self
- 2016 · Skylanders Academy as Wolfgang (voice)
- 2016 · Billions as Metallica
- 2015 · The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self - Musical Guest
- 2014 · Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II as Self
- 2014 · The Hunt as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2014 · Metallica: Beyond Thunder and Lightning as Self
- 2013 · Metallica: Through the Never as Self
- 2013 · Surfing Your Dreams as
- 2012 · Anton Corbijn Inside Out as Self
- 2010 · Lemmy as Self
- 2009 · Metallica: Pride, Passion and Glory - Three Nights in Mexico City as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2009 · Metallica: Live in Copenhagen, Denmark - July 22, 2009 as Self - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- 2009 · Metallica: Français pour une nuit as Self - Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2008 · Aural Amphetamine: Metallica and the Dawn of Thrash as Self
- 2007 · The Darwin Awards as Self
- 2007 · Seven Ages of Rock as Self
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Fan #1 (voice)
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Sniper (voice)
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Troll (voice)
- 2006 · Metalocalypse as Lorkey (voice)
- 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 · Woodstock '99 as
- 1999 · Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M as Self
- 1997 · Classic Albums as Self - Guitarist, Vocalist, Metallica
- 1994 · Space Ghost Coast to Coast 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
- 1989 · Heavy Metal Heaven Hosted by Elvira as Himself - Metalica
- 1989 · The Simpsons as William Rieflin (voice)
- 1989 · MTV Rockumentary as
- 1984 · MTV Video Music Awards as Self
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Musical Guest
- Future · Live Earth: A Concert for a Climate in Crisis as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: 72 Seasons - Global Premiere as Self
- 2022 · Metallica Presents: The Helping Hands Concert as Self
- 2022 · Metallica Download Festival Germany as
- 2022 · Metallica: Campo Argentino de Polo as
- 2021 · Metallica - Live at Gentofte Stadion, Copenhagen, Denmark August 10, 1991 + Bonus Shit as Self
- 2021 · Metallica - Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica Outtakes as
- 2021 · Metallica: Live in Lincoln, Nebraska - September 6, 2018 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica Helping Hands Concert & Auction: Live & Acoustic From HQ as Self
- 2020 · Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Dallas, Texas - August 3, 2000 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Lisbon, Portugal - June 28, 2007 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: WorldWired Tour - Live in Manchester, England - June 18, 2019 as Self - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Muskegon, Michigan (November 1, 1991) as Self
- 2020 · Hypnotizing Power: The Story of Master of Puppets as Self
- 2017 · Metallica: Live in Paris, France - Sept 8, 2017 as
- 2017 · Addicted to Porn: Chasing the Cardboard Butterfly as Narrator
- 2017 · Cum On Feel The Noize as Self
- 2016 · Metallica: Live from The House of Vans as Self - vocals, guitars
- 2016 · Metallica: The Night Before as
- 2015 · Mission to Lars as Self
- 2015 · Randy Johnson: The Big Picture as
- 2014 · Metallica: Masters of Metal as Self
- 2014 · Metallica Live at Blizzcon 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
- 2012 · Metallica: Quebec Magnetic as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2012 · Metallica: Live at Rock im Park 2012 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2011 · Metallica: The 30th Anniversary Event as Self
- 2011 · An Evening with Lou Reed & Metallica - Live at Rockpalast as
- 2011 · The Big 4 as Self
- 2010 · Metallica: Fan Can 6 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2010 · The Big Four: Live in Sofia as Guitars
- 2010 · Metallica: The Big 4 Live in Sofia as Vocals, guitars
- 2009 · Metallica: Fan Can Six Copenhagen as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2008 · Metallica - Rock AM Ring as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2007 · Rock Milestones: Metallica: Master of Puppets as
- 2006 · Metallica: The Videos 1989-2004 as Vocalist, Guitarrist
- 2006 · Heavy Metal: Louder Than Life as Self
- 2006 · Metallica: Fan Can 5 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2003 · Metallica: St. Anger Rehearsals as Self
- 2001 · Classic Albums: Metallica - Metallica as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 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
- 1998 · Metallica: Cunning Stunts as Self
- 1996 · Metallica: Fan Can 1 as Self
- 1992 · Metallica: [1992] Den Bosch, Netherlands as Vox, Guitars
- 1992 · For Those About to Rock - Monsters In Moscow as
- 1992 · Metallica: Live at San Diego as Self
- 1992 · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, San Diego 1992 as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1991 · Metallica: Live Moscow - Monsters of Rock as
- 1989 · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, Seattle 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1988 · Metallica - Live at Hammersmith Odeon as Self - Vocals, Guitars
- Future · Metallica: Sick Out Of Studio 2007 Oslo as Self
- 1989 · Metallica: Live at Shoreline Amphitheatre as Self
- 1972 · Deep Purple: Made In Japan as Self
- Future · Metallica at Raadi Airfield Estonia in Tartu as Self
- 2025 · Di'Anno: Iron Maiden's Lost Singer as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Studio Shit + U.K. Shenanigans as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Polar Beach Party as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Poor Swedish Me '96 as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live from Texas - Night 2 as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live from Texas - Night 1 as Self
- 2022 · Metallica at Lollapalooza 2022 as self
- 2022 · Metallica Live Hellfest 2022 as Self
- 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 Festivalpark, Werchter, Belgium - July 4th, 1993 as
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - June 13, 2004 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Bogotá, Colombia - May 2, 1999 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Melbourne, Australia - March 1, 2013 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live at Slane Castle as lead vocals, guitar
- 2019 · Metallica - Live in Berlin 2019 as
- 2019 · Live Metallica: Stade de France, Paris - mai 12, 2019 as Self
- 2017 · Metallica - Live from Edmonton, Canada - August 16, 2017 as vocals
- 2017 · Metallica - Live at Outside Lands (San Francisco, CA - August 12, 2017) as
- 2017 · Metallica - Live at Rock on the Range, Columbus 2017 as
- 2016 · Metallica: Making of Hardwired... to Self-Destruct as
- 2016 · Orchestrating An Upset: The 1996 World Cup of Hockey as Self / Narrator
- 2016 · Metallica: [2016] Rasputin Music, Berkeley as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2015 · Metallica: Rock in Rio 2015 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2013 · Metallica: Freeze 'Em All - Live in Antarctica as Self - Vocals, Guitars
- 2012 · Metallica: Live in Orion Music Festival as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2012 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2012 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2010 · Metallica: Live at Sonisphere as Self
- 2010 · Metallica: Master of Puppets (Deluxe Box Set) as Self
- 2008 · METALLICA the Complete Story as Self
- 2008 · Metallica: Making Magnetic as
- 2008 · Metallica Touring Europe as
- 2007 · Metallica - Sick of the Studio Tour - LIVE in Wien 2007 as Singer,Guitar
- 2006 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2006 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2003 · Metallica: MTV Icon as Self
- 2000 · Metallica: [2000] Baltimore, Maryland as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1999 · Metallica: Woodstock '99 as Self
- 1995 · Metallica: [1995] Loud But Secret as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1994 · Metallica: Woodstock '94 as
- 1993 · Metallica: [1993] Basel, Switzerland as Vox, Guitars
- 1993 · Metallica: [1993] Santiago, Chile as Vox, Guitars
- 1993 · Metallica: Mexico City, Mexico as Vox, Guitars
- 1992 · Metallica - ...And Justice For All as Self
- 1989 · Metallica: Newark, Delaware as Self
- 1987 · Metallica: Cliff 'Em All as Self - Guitarist / Vocalist
- Future · Metallica - Beyond Magnetic [Full EP LIVE at the Fillmore] as
- 1986 · Metallica: Nagoya, Japan as Vox, Guitars
- 1986 · Metallica - Roskilde Festival as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1986 · Metallica: [1986] Uniondale, NY as Vox, Guitars
- 1986 · Metallica: Detroit, Michigan as Vox, Guitars
- 1985 · Metallica: Metal Hammer Festival as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1985 · Metallica: Day on the Green as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Metallica: 40th Anniversary Shows Live at Chase Center 2021 as
- 2025 · Metallica: On the Air (Music Videos + TV Appearances) as Self
- 2023 · Metallica: M72 World Tour Live in Amsterdam - Night 2 as Self
- 2021 · Metallica: Wherever We May Roam as vocals, guitars
- 2019 · Live Metallica: Barcelona, Spain - May 5, 2019 as
- Future · Metallica: from the off as Self
- 2022 · Metallica - Global Citizen Festival 2022 as
- 2021 · Metallica - The Black Album - Music Videos + Halfin’s Home Movies as
- 2021 · Metallica - Live At Frankenhalle, Nuremberg, Germany - November 29th, 1992 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 · Flying V as Self
- 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 Berlin, Germany - June 6, 2006 as Cast
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Madrid, Spain - May 31, 2008 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 Nickelsdorf, Austria - June 10, 2012 as Self
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as vocals
- 2019 · Metallica : Live in Moscow 2019 as
- 2017 · Metallica: Lollapalooza Brazil 2017 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2016 · Metallica - Hardwired... To Self-Destruct Videos as Voice & Rithm Guitar
- 2015 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as Self
- 2000 · Metallica: Live in Baltimore as Self - Vocals/Guitar
- Future · Metallica - The Big 4 Live in Gothenburg, Sweden as
- 2020 · Metallica: Live in Salt Lake City, Utah - January 2, 1997 as Self
- 2015 · Metallica: [2015] X Games as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2014 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2014 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2012 · Metallica: Live at Orion Music And More 2012 (1st Night) as
- 2012 · Metallica: The Black Album as
- 2012 · Metallica: Rock in Rio as Vox, Guitars
- 2011 · Metallica: Rock In Rio 2011 as Vocal, Guitar
- 2011 · Absent as Self
- 2009 · Metallica: Hall of Fame 2009 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2008 · Metallica: [2008] Rock en France Festival as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2007 · Metallica: Up Close and Personal as Self
- 2007 · Metallica - Live Earth as Self
- 2005 · Hard Rock Treasures as Self
- 1999 · Metallica: [1999] Plovdiv, Bulgaria as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1998 · Metallica: Live Covers as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1994 · Metallica: Live in Mountain View, CA - July 22, 1994 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1993 · Metallican Vid as Self - Rhythm/Lead Vocal
- 1990 · Metallica: [1990] Zwolle, Netherlands as
- 1989 · Metallica - Live in Irvine, California - September 23, 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1989 · Metallica: [1989] Middletown, NY as Vox, Guitars
- 1989 · 2 of One as Self (Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocal)
- 1986 · Metallica: [1986] Toronto, Canada as Self - Vocals, Guitar
- 1985 · Metallica: Ride The Lightning as Self
- 1983 · Metallica - Kill 'Em All in Chicago 1983 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1983 · Metallica: [1983] Kiss the Stone as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge as
- Future · Metal Massacre: The Story of the Legendary Album as Self - Metallica