
Pat Smear
Acting
Born 1959-08-05 · Los Angeles, California, USA
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.
Known for

Saturday Night Live
1975 · TV

Foo Fighters Sonic Highways
2014 · TV

MTV Video Music Awards
1984 · TV

Late Show with David Letterman
1993 · TV

The Morning Show
2019 · TV

Saturday Night Live UK
2026 · TV

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015 · TV

The Graham Norton Show
2007 · TV

Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003 · TV