Jimmy Kimmel Mourns the Loss of His Lifelong Friend and Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III
It’s truly a heartbreaking moment in the entertainment world, as Jimmy Kimmel has announced the death of his longtime friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III. The news was shared on social media, where Kimmel expressed his grief and reflected on the incredible friendship they had shared since childhood. Escobedo, who led the house band Cleto and the Cletones on Jimmy Kimmel Live! , passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 59. No cause of death has been released.
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Kimmel’s message was filled with emotion as he wrote, “Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man — my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old.” His words painted a picture of two lifelong friends who grew up side by side and somehow managed to turn their childhood bond into a professional dream come true.
Their story began back in 1977, when Kimmel’s family moved from New York to Las Vegas. Coincidentally, the Kimmels moved in across the street from Escobedo’s family. From that point on, the two became inseparable — childhood partners in mischief who would one day take that chemistry to late-night television.
Escobedo, a Las Vegas native, was more than just a bandleader. He was a talented saxophonist and a gifted musician who had been performing professionally for years before joining Kimmel’s show in 2003. Kimmel once called him a “child prodigy,” someone whose passion for music was evident from the very beginning. When Jimmy Kimmel Live! launched, there was never a question of who would lead the band. Kimmel brought the ABC network president to watch Cleto perform live — and as Kimmel later joked, “He loved it.”
Over the years, their on-screen banter became one of the most genuine parts of the show. But behind the jokes and laughter was a real friendship that had stood the test of time. Kimmel even dedicated a segment to Escobedo’s 50th birthday in 2016, sharing funny stories from their youth — like the time Escobedo steered him into trash cans or sabotaged a homemade go-kart just for laughs. It was that kind of brotherly mischief that made their connection so authentic.
Kimmel’s tribute ended with a heartfelt plea: “Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children, and parents in your prayers.” It’s clear that Escobedo wasn’t just a bandleader on television — he was family to Kimmel, and his loss leaves a deep void both in the show and in the hearts of those who knew him.
As fans and colleagues continue to share memories, one thing is certain — Cleto Escobedo III will be remembered not only for his music, but for the warmth, humor, and loyalty that defined a friendship spanning nearly five decades.
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