Jimmy Kimmel Mourns Childhood Friend and ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III

Jimmy Kimmel opened today’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” with a moving tribute to his lifelong friend and the show’s bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, who died yesterday at the age of 59.

Kimmel, visibly emotional, shared stories of his childhood in Las Vegas with Escobedo, recalling their close bond from a young age. “There was a boy who lived on my block…we became 24/7, ‘Mom, please let me sleep over, please,’ kind of friends,” Kimmel said. He explained that Escobedo was his first choice to lead the show’s band when it launched in 2003, despite initially questioning how the pitch would be received. The pair’s musical audition, featuring a rendition of “Pick Up the Pieces” by the Average White Band, secured Escobedo’s role, and they worked together for nearly 23 years.

The loss is particularly poignant as Kimmel recently canceled Thursday’s episode to be with Escobedo as his condition worsened, following a similar pause in 2017 when his son Billy underwent heart surgery. Kimmel’s dedication to his personal relationships is well-known, often extending to those he employs on his show. He described Escobedo as “the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person,” adding, “It’s just not fair.” The show will take the next few nights off to honor Escobedo’s memory. You can learn more about grief and loss resources here.

Kimmel shared his grief on Instagram, stating the pair had been “inseparable since I was nine years old.” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” has often featured prominent guests; Tuesday’s episode included Eddie Murphy, Morgan Fairchild, and Men At Work. The show will return after a brief hiatus, but the absence of Escobedo will undoubtedly be felt by the entire production team and audience. Headlinez News will continue to provide updates as they become available.