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 · 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 · Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away as Self
- 2020 · Flying V as Self
- 2020 · History 101 as Self (archive footage)
- 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
- 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
- 2016 · Skylanders Academy as Wolfgang (voice)
- 2016 · Billions as Himself
- 2015 · Randy Johnson: The Big Picture as
- 2014 · Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II as Himself
- 2014 · 'Tallica Parking Lot as James Hetfield (voice)
- 2014 · Hit the Lights: The Making of Metallica "Through the Never" as Self
- 2013 · Metallica: Through the Never as Himself
- 2013 · Surfing Your Dreams as
- 2012 · Metallica: Quebec Magnetic as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2012 · Anton Corbijn Inside Out as Self
- 2010 · The Big Four: Live in Sofia as Guitars
- 2010 · Lemmy 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)
- 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 · Metallica: MTV Icon as Himself
- 2003 · Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- 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 · 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
- 1989 · The Simpsons as William Rieflin (voice)
- 1989 · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, Seattle 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 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 · Metallica - Beyond Magnetic [Full EP LIVE at the Fillmore] as
- 2022 · Metallica Presents: The Helping Hands Concert as Self
- 2022 · Metallica at Lollapalooza 2022 as self
- 2022 · Metallica Live Hellfest 2022 as SELF
- 2022 · Metallica: Campo Argentino de Polo as
- 2021 · Metallica - Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica Outtakes as
- 2021 · Metallica: Live in Lincoln, Nebraska - September 6, 2018 as Himself
- 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 Madrid, Spain - May 31, 2008 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 Berlin 2019 as
- 2017 · Metallica: Live in Paris, France - Sept 8, 2017 as
- 2017 · Metallica - Live at Rock on the Range, Columbus 2017 as
- 2016 · Metallica: Making of Hardwired... to Self-Destruct as
- 2015 · Mission to Lars as Himself
- 2014 · Metallica: Masters of Metal as
- 2014 · Metallica: Masters of Metal as Himself
- 2014 · Metallica Live at Blizzcon as Himself
- 2014 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2014 as Vocals, Guitars
- 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: Live at Rock im Park 2012 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2012 · Metallica: Rock in Rio as Vox, Guitars
- 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: Live at Sonisphere as James Hetfield
- 2010 · Metallica: Master of Puppets (Deluxe Box Set) as Self
- 2009 · Metallica: Fan Can Six Copenhagen as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2008 · METALLICA the Complete Story as Himself
- 2008 · Metallica: Making Magnetic as
- 2008 · Metallica - Rock AM Ring as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2007 · Metallica - Sick of the Studio Tour - LIVE in Wien 2007 as Singer,Guitar
- 2006 · Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2006 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2006 · Metallica: Fan Can 5 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2003 · Metallica: St. Anger Rehearsals as Himself
- 1999 · Metallica: Making of 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
- 1996 · Metallica: Fan Can 1 as Self
- 1995 · Metallica: [1995] Loud But Secret as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1992 · Metallica: [1992] Den Bosch, Netherlands as Vox, Guitars
- 1991 · Metallica: Live Moscow - Monsters of Rock as
- 1989 · Metallica: Live at Shoreline Amphitheatre as Self
- 1989 · 2 of One as Himself (Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocal)
- 1986 · Metallica: Nagoya, Japan as Vox, Guitars
- 1985 · Metallica: Day on the Green as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Metallica: Sick Out Of Studio 2007 Oslo as Self
- 2025 · Back to the Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow as Self
- 2025 · Metallica: Polar Beach Party 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 - Global Citizen Festival 2022 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 Frankenhalle, Nuremberg, Germany - November 29th, 1992 as
- 2021 · Metallica - Live At Festivalpark, Werchter, Belgium - July 4th, 1993 as
- 2021 · Metallica - Live at Gentofte Stadion, Copenhagen, Denmark - August 10th, 1991 as Self
- 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 Himself
- 2020 · Metallica - The All Within My Hands Helping Hands Concert & Auction as
- 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 Berlin, Germany - June 6, 2006 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 in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as vocals
- 2019 · Metallica : Live in Moscow 2019 as
- 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: Lollapalooza Brazil 2017 as Vocals, Guitars
- 2014 · Metallica: This Monster Lives as Himself
- 2014 · Metallica: Beyond Thunder and Lightning as Himself
- 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
- 2009 · Metallica: Français pour une nuit as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 2008 · Metallica Touring Europe as
- 2007 · Metallica - Live Earth as Himself
- 2005 · Hard Rock Treasures as Self
- 2000 · Metallica: [2000] Baltimore, Maryland as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1999 · Metallica With Michael Kamen Conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra – S&M as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1999 · Metallica: Woodstock '99 as Self
- 1994 · Metallica: Woodstock '94 as
- 1994 · Metallica: Live in Mountain View, CA - July 22, 1994 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 1993 · Metallica: [1993] Santiago, Chile as Vox, Guitars
- 1993 · Metallica: Mexico City, Mexico as Vox, Guitars
- 1992 · Metallica: Live at San Diego as Himself
- 1992 · Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, San Diego 1992 as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- 1992 · Metallica - ...And Justice For All as Self
- 1989 · Metallica - Live in Irvine, California - September 23, 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1989 · Metallica: Newark, Delaware as Self
- 1986 · Metallica: [1986] Toronto, Canada as Self - Vocals, Guitar
- Future · Metallica - The Big 4 Live in Gothenburg, Sweden as
- 1986 · Metallica: Detroit, Michigan as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Metallica: 40th Anniversary Shows Live at Chase Center 2021 as
- 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
- 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: 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 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 · 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
- 2016 · Metallica: [2016] Rasputin Music, Berkeley as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2016 · Metallica: The Night Before as
- 2015 · Metallica: Rock in Rio 2015 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2015 · Metallica: [2015] X Games as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2015 · Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as
- 2014 · The Hunt as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2011 · Metallica: The 30th Anniversary Event as Self
- 2011 · An Evening with Lou Reed & Metallica - Live at Rockpalast as
- 2011 · Absent as Himself
- 2011 · The Big 4 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: Live in Copenhagen, Denmark - July 22, 2009 as Himself - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- 2008 · Metallica: [2008] Rock en France Festival as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2008 · Aural Amphetamine: Metallica and the Dawn of Thrash as Self
- 2007 · Metallica: Up Close and Personal as Himself
- 2007 · Rock Milestones: Metallica: Master of Puppets as
- 2006 · Metallica: The Videos 1989-2004 as Vocalist, Guitarrist
- 2001 · Classic Albums: Metallica - Metallica as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- 2000 · Metallica: Live in Baltimore as Self - Vocals/Guitar
- 1993 · Metallican Vid as Himself (Rhythm/Lead Vocal)
- 1993 · Metallica: [1993] Basel, Switzerland as Vox, Guitars
- 1989 · Metallica: [1989] Middletown, NY as Vox, Guitars
- 1989 · MTV Rockumentary as
- 1987 · Metallica: Cliff 'Em All as Himself (Guitarist / Vocalist)
- 1986 · Metallica: [1986] Uniondale, NY as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Live Earth: A Concert for a Climate in Crisis as Self
- Future · Metallica at Raadi Airfield Estonia in Tartu as Himself
- 1983 · Metallica: [1983] Kiss the Stone as Vox, Guitars
- Future · Metal Massacre: The Story of the Legendary Album as Self - Metallica
- Future · Metallica: from the off as Self
- 1990 · Metallica: [1990] Zwolle, Netherlands as
- 1986 · Metallica - Roskilde Festival as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1985 · Metallica: Metal Hammer Festival as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- 1985 · Metallica: Ride The Lightning as Self
- 1983 · Metallica - Kill 'Em All in Chicago 1983 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar