Jimmy Kimmel Mourns Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III
Tonight on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Jimmy Kimmel delivered one of the most heartfelt monologues of his career, struggling to hold back tears as he shared the news of losing his longtime friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III. It was a moment filled with emotion, as Kimmel told his audience that someone very dear to him had passed away far too young, leaving a void in his life that could never be filled.
Kimmel reflected on the bond he shared with Escobedo, a friendship that began in their childhoods in Las Vegas, Nevada. He recounted how their connection went far beyond casual companionship, describing it as the kind of friendship where one would practically live at the other’s house. “One summer I slept over at the Escobedo house 33 nights in a row,” Kimmel recalled. He shared with warmth and humor how his mother would make him beg on his knees for permission to stay, something he would happily do because the two were never bored and always up to some kind of mischief.
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The monologue captured the full scope of their friendship, from youthful pranks and endless laughter to a language of their own that only the two could understand. Despite Escobedo’s “wild” streak in his youth, Kimmel fondly remembered him as a devoted father and family man. Their bond, Kimmel explained, was so strong that when he got his ABC late-night show, he made it a priority to bring Escobedo along, asking the network to cast him as the bandleader. With some courage, Kimmel pitched his best friend as a phenomenal saxophone player who could also lead the band—a request that ultimately paid off. Not only did Escobedo take on the role, but his father joined him as well, resuming a musical journey that had paused decades earlier.
During his monologue, Kimmel expressed gratitude to the medical team who cared for Escobedo in his final moments and cherished the years they had shared. He also announced that he would take the next couple of nights off to grieve this immense loss. The late-night host had previously shared his sorrow on Instagram, describing Escobedo as a “great friend, father, son, musician, and man” and emphasizing the deep, lifelong connection they shared since the age of nine. Kimmel urged his viewers to cherish their own friends and to keep Escobedo’s family in their thoughts and prayers.
This heartfelt tribute reminded everyone watching just how much of an impact Cleto Escobedo III had—not only on the world of music and late-night television but on the lives of those who knew and loved him. Kimmel’s words painted a picture of a life full of friendship, laughter, and music, leaving a lasting impression of the man they lost far too soon.
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