Pat Smear
Biography
Georg Albert Ruthenberg (born August 5, 1959), better known by the stage name Pat Smear, is an American musician. He is best known as a rhythm guitarist for the rock band Foo Fighters, with whom he has recorded six studio albums. Smear was a founding member of punk band the Germs and was the touring guitarist for grunge band Nirvana from 1993 to 1994. After Nirvana disbanded following the suicide of its frontman Kurt Cobain, drummer Dave Grohl went on to become the frontman of rock band Foo Fighters, with Smear soon joining on guitar. He left Foo Fighters in 1997, before rejoining as a touring guitarist in 2005, and has been a full-time member since 2010.
Also Known As
Movie Appearances
The Road to ACL
as Self
2016
Studio 666
as Pat Smear
2022
Kurt & Courtney
as Self
1998
Foo Fighters: Back and Forth
as Self
2011
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light Live From 606
as Self
2011
2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
as Self
2021
The Decline of Western Civilization
as Self
1981
Foo Fighters Live at Madison Square Garden (June 20, 2021)
as Self
2021
Cobain: Montage of Heck
as Self (archive footage)
2015
Foo Fighters-Live From Lollapalooza 2021
as Self
2021
Nirvana: Unplugged In New York
as Self - Guitar
1993
Foo Fighters: Preparing Music for Concerts
as Self
2023
Nirvana - Unplugged In New York (MTV Version)
as Self
1993
Foo Fighters - Live at Rock am Ring 2023
as Self
2023
The Teacher
as Self
2023
Foo Fighters-Superbowl LVI Aftershow in Virtual Reality
as Self
2022
Media Blitz: The Germs Story
2004
Nirvana: Live And Loud
as Self - Guitar
1993
Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
as Self
2022
Foo Fighters: Live At Wembley Stadium
as Self - Guitars
2008
TV Appearances
Foo Fighters Sonic Highways
as Self
2014
The Morning Show
as Pat Smear
2019
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
as Self - Guest
2003
MTV Video Music Awards
as Self
1984
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Musical Guest
1975
The Graham Norton Show
as Self - Performer
2007
Late Show with David Letterman
as Self - Musical Guest
1993
Saturday Night Live UK
as Self - Musical Guest
2026
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
as Self - Musical Guest
2015