James Hetfield
Born: 1963-08-03 in Downey, California, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
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.
Filmography
2025
- Ozzy: No Escape from Now as Self
- Metallica Saved My Life as Self
- Metallica: Polar Beach Party as Self
- Back to the Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow as Self
- Metallica: Poor Swedish Me '96 as Self
- Metallica: Studio Shit + U.K. Shenanigans as Self
- Metallica: On the Air (Music Videos + TV Appearances) as Self
2024
- The Thicket as Simon Deasy
- Metallica: Helping Hands Concert & Auction as Self
- On the Roam ... (Theme Song Performance)
2023
2022
- Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head as James Hetfield (voice)
- Ennio as Self
- Metallica Presents: The Helping Hands Concert as Self
- Metallica at Lollapalooza 2022 as self
- Metallica Live Hellfest 2022 as SELF
- Metallica: Campo Argentino de Polo
- Metallica - Global Citizen Festival 2022
- Metallica Download Festival Germany
2021
- Metallica - Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica Outtakes
- Metallica: Live in Lincoln, Nebraska - September 6, 2018 as Himself
- Metallica - Live At Frankenhalle, Nuremberg, Germany - November 29th, 1992
- Metallica - Live At Festivalpark, Werchter, Belgium - July 4th, 1993
- Metallica - Live at Gentofte Stadion, Copenhagen, Denmark - August 10th, 1991 as Self
- Metallica: 40th Anniversary - Live at Chase Center (Night 1) as vocals, guitars
- Metallica: 40th Anniversary - Live at Chase Center (Night 2) as vocals, guitars
- Metallica - Live at Gentofte Stadion, Copenhagen, Denmark August 10, 1991 + Bonus Shit as Self
- Metallica: Wherever We May Roam as vocals, guitars
- Metallica - The Black Album - Music Videos + Halfin’s Home Movies
2020
- Flying V as Self
- History 101 as Self (archive footage)
- MoPOP Founders Award 2020 Honoring Alice in Chains as Self
- Phil Lynott: Songs for While I'm Away as Self
- Metallica: Live in Bogotá, Colombia - May 2, 1999 as Himself
- Metallica: Live at Yankee Stadium - Bronx, New York - September 14, 2011 as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Melbourne, Australia - March 1, 2013 as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Nickelsdorf, Austria - June 10, 2012 as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Dallas, Texas - August 3, 2000 as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Lisbon, Portugal - June 28, 2007 as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Madrid, Spain - May 31, 2008 as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - June 13, 2004 as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Berlin, Germany - June 6, 2006 as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Chicago, Illinois - August 12, 1983 as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Mexico City, Mexico - March 3, 2017 as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 as vocals
- Metallica Helping Hands Concert & Auction: Live & Acoustic From HQ as Himself
- Metallica: Live in Muskegon, Michigan (November 1, 1991)
- Metallica - The All Within My Hands Helping Hands Concert & Auction
- Metallica: WorldWired Tour - Live in Manchester, England - June 18, 2019 as Himself - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- Metallica: Live at Slane Castle as lead vocals, guitar
- Metallica: Live in Lima, Peru - March 20, 2014 as Himself
- Hypnotizing Power: The Story of Master of Puppets as Self
- Metallica: Live in Salt Lake City, Utah - January 2, 1997 as Himself
2019
- Murder in the Front Row: The San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Story as Self
- Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile as Officer Bob Hayward
- Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2 as Himself
- Metallica - Live in Berlin 2019
- Metallica : Live in Moscow 2019
- Live Metallica: Stade de France, Paris - mai 12, 2019 as James Hetfield
- Live Metallica: Barcelona, Spain - May 5, 2019
2018
- Sad Hill Unearthed as Self - Musician
2017
- Carpool Karaoke: The Series as Self
- Linkin Park and Friends Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington as Self (archive footage)
- Metallica - Live at Rock on the Range, Columbus 2017
- Metallica: Live in Paris, France - Sept 8, 2017
- Metallica WorldWired North American Tour 2017 ... (Writer)
- Metallica: Lollapalooza Brazil 2017 as Vocals, Guitars
- Metallica - Live at Outside Lands (San Francisco, CA - August 12, 2017)
- Metallica - Live from Edmonton, Canada - August 16, 2017 as vocals
- Who the Fuck Is That Guy?: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago as Self
- Addicted to Porn: Chasing the Cardboard Butterfly as Narrator
- Cum On Feel The Noize as Self
2016
- Billions as Himself
- Skylanders Academy as Wolfgang (voice)
- Metallica: Making of Hardwired... to Self-Destruct
- Metallica - Hardwired... To Self-Destruct Videos as Voice & Rithm Guitar
- Orchestrating An Upset: The 1996 World Cup of Hockey as Himself, Narrator
- Metallica: Live from The House of Vans as Vocals, guitars
- Metallica: [2016] Rasputin Music, Berkeley as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: The Night Before
2015
- Randy Johnson: The Big Picture
- Mission to Lars as Himself
- Metallica: [2015] X Games as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Rock in Rio 2015 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015
2014
- Made in Japan: The Rise of Deep Purple Mk II as Himself
- 'Tallica Parking Lot as James Hetfield (voice)
- Hit the Lights: The Making of Metallica "Through the Never" as Self
- Metallica Live at Blizzcon as Himself
- Metallica: Masters of Metal
- Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2014 as Vocals, Guitars
- Metallica: This Monster Lives as Himself
- Metallica: Beyond Thunder and Lightning as Himself
- The Hunt as Self - Narrator (voice)
2013
- Metallica: Through the Never as Himself
- Surfing Your Dreams
- Metallica: Freeze 'Em All - Live in Antarctica as Self - Vocals, Guitars
2012
- Anton Corbijn Inside Out as Self
- Metallica: Quebec Magnetic as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Rock in Rio as Vox, Guitars
- Metallica: Live in Orion Music Festival as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Live at Rock im Park 2012 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: The Black Album
- Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2012 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Live at Orion Music And More 2012 (1st Night)
2011
- Metallica: Rock In Rio 2011 as Vocal, Guitar
- An Evening with Lou Reed & Metallica - Live at Rockpalast
- Absent as Himself
- The Big 4 as Himself
- Metallica: The 30th Anniversary Event as Self
2010
- Lemmy as Self
- The Big Four: Live in Sofia as Guitars
- Metallica: Master of Puppets (Deluxe Box Set) as Self
- Metallica: Live at Sonisphere as James Hetfield
- Metallica: Fan Can 6 as Vocals, Guitars
- Metallica: The Big 4 Live in Sofia as Vocals, guitars
2009
- Metallica: Fan Can Six Copenhagen as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Français pour une nuit as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Hall of Fame 2009 as Vocals, Guitars
- Metallica: Pride, Passion and Glory - Three Nights in Mexico City as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Live in Copenhagen, Denmark - July 22, 2009 as Himself - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
2008
- Metallica - Rock AM Ring as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Making Magnetic
- METALLICA the Complete Story as Himself
- Metallica Touring Europe
- Aural Amphetamine: Metallica and the Dawn of Thrash as Self
- Metallica: [2008] Rock en France Festival as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
2007
- The Darwin Awards as Self
- Seven Ages of Rock as Self
- Metallica - Sick of the Studio Tour - LIVE in Wien 2007 as Singer,Guitar
- Metallica - Live Earth as Himself
- Metallica: Up Close and Personal as Himself
- Rock Milestones: Metallica: Master of Puppets
2006
- Metalocalypse as Fan #1 (voice)
- Heavy Metal: Louder Than Life as Self
- Metallica: Fan Can 5 as Vocals, Guitars
- Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2006 as Vocals, Guitars
- Metallica: The Videos 1989-2004 as Vocalist, Guitarrist
2005
- American Dad! as James Hetfield (voice)
- The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson as Self
- De Wereld Draait Door as Self
- The Work of Director Anton Corbijn as Self (segments "Hero of the Day" and "Mama Said")
- Hard Rock Treasures as Self
2004
- Metallica: Some Kind of Monster as Self
2003
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- Metallica: MTV Icon as Himself
- Metallica: St. Anger Rehearsals as Himself
2001
- Classic Albums: Metallica - Metallica as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
2000
- Metallica: [2000] Baltimore, Maryland as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Live in Baltimore as Self - Vocals/Guitar
1999
- South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut ... (Music)
- Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M as Self
- Metallica: Making of S&M as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- Metallica: [1999] Plovdiv, Bulgaria as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica With Michael Kamen Conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra – S&M as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- Metallica: Woodstock '99 as Self
1998
- Metallica: Live Covers as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Cunning Stunts as Self
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
- Metallica: Live in Mountain View, CA - July 22, 1994 as Self - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Woodstock '94
1993
- Metallica: Mexico City, Mexico as Vox, Guitars
- Metallica: [1993] Santiago, Chile as Vox, Guitars
- Metallican Vid as Himself (Rhythm/Lead Vocal)
- Metallica: [1993] Basel, Switzerland as Vox, Guitars
1992
- Later... with Jools Holland as Self
- The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert as Self
- Metallica: A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica as Self
- For Those About to Rock - Monsters In Moscow
- Metallica: [1992] Den Bosch, Netherlands as Vox, Guitars
- Metallica: Live at San Diego as Himself
- Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, San Diego 1992 as Self - Guitar, Vocals
- Metallica - ...And Justice For All as Self
1989
- The Simpsons as William Rieflin (voice)
- Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, Seattle 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Live at Shoreline Amphitheatre as Self
- 2 of One as Himself (Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocal)
- Metallica - Live in Irvine, California - September 23, 1989 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: Newark, Delaware as Self
- Metallica: [1989] Middletown, NY as Vox, Guitars
- MTV Rockumentary
1988
- Metallica - Live at Hammersmith Odeon as Self - Vocals, Guitars
1987
- Metallica: Cliff 'Em All as Himself (Guitarist / Vocalist)
1986
- Metallica: Nagoya, Japan as Vox, Guitars
- Metallica: [1986] Toronto, Canada as Self - Vocals, Guitar
- Metallica: Detroit, Michigan as Vox, Guitars
- Metallica - Roskilde Festival as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: [1986] Uniondale, NY as Vox, Guitars
1985
- Metallica: Day on the Green as Vox, Guitars
- Metallica: Ride The Lightning as Self
- Metallica: Metal Hammer Festival as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
1984
- MTV Video Music Awards as Self
1983
- Metallica - Kill 'Em All in Chicago 1983 as Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
- Metallica: [1983] Kiss the Stone as Vox, Guitars
1975
- Saturday Night Live as Self - Musical Guest
1972
- Deep Purple: Made In Japan as Self