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Cleto Escobedo, 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Band Leader, Dead at 59
Hollywood is in mourning over the death of Jimmy Kimmel Live! mainstay Cleto Escobedo.
Jimmy Kimmel himself shared the devastating news on Nov. 11, writing on Instagram, “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," the late night talk show host continued. "Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was 9 years old. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true."
Jimmy's fellow comics also shared their condolences, with Wanda Sykes writing in the comments section, "Heartbreaking. So, very sorry."
"So sorry," Howie Mandel shared, while Jeffrey Ross added, "Love to his incredible family."
In an Instagram post of her own, Paula Abdul recalled her first meeting with Cleto, who she toured with in the late '80s.
"I first met Cleto when he was playing sax in a small bar at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas," the singer wrote. "I was putting together my band for my first world tour and the moment I heard him, I knew I had to hire him, even though he didn’t have any touring experience yet."
Praising his "undeniable" talent, Paula added, "Cleto was pure light and soul, both on and off stage. Sending so much love to his family and everyone who loved him."
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And she wasn't the only music icon to pay tribute. Posting a photo of Cleto fronting his band Cleto and the Cletones, Sheila E. shared, "I’m so heartbroken."
"There are no words," added the drummer, who collaborated with Cleto on his 1995 eponymous album. "You will be missed. I love u."
For more heartfelt messages about Cleto, read on.
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Jimmy Kimmel
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Jimmy Kimmel shared to Instagram Nov. 11. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.”
The talk show host added that he and Cleto “have been inseparable since I was nine years old.”
“The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true,” Jimmy continued. “Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
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Shelia E.
“With a heavy heart we have lost a dear friend Cleto Escobedo,” the "Glamorous Life" artist posted to Instagram Nov. 11. “I met Cleto in 1994 and in 1995 I produced a song on his album. We always joked about being related and we did try to find out.”
She wrote that he had “been a true brother and an amazing musician and artist.”
“I’m so heartbroken there are no words,” she added. “My prayers go out to his wife and kids, Jimmy Kimmel, family and friends. You will be missed. I love u rest well.”
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Paula Abdul
The “Straight Up” singer shared a sweet tribute Instagram Nov. 11 saying, “My heart is heavy today as we say goodbye to the incredible Cleto Escobedo III.”
Noting she first met Cleto when he was playing the saxophone at a small bar at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace, Paula recalled, “I was putting together my band for my first world tour and the moment I heard him, I knew I had to hire him, even though he didn’t have any touring experience yet.”
She gushed that Cleto’s “talent and energy were undeniable” and that she was thrilled to see him “have an amazing career, reuniting with his best friend Jimmy Kimmel as the bandleader on Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
“Cleto was pure light and soul, both on and off stage,” she wrote. “Sending so much love to his family and everyone who loved him.”
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Adam Scott
“RIP the great Cleto Escobedo III,” the Severance actor posted to Instagram Nov. 11. “Such a kind, talented guy who will be sorely missed. Lots of love to Cleto’s family and everyone at @jimmykimmellive.”
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Eric Stonestreet
“So sorry to hear this Jimmy,” the Modern Family alum commented on Jimmy’s post. “He was AWESOME. Love to his family.”
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Johnny Knoxville
The Reboot alum shared three red hearts on Jimmy’s tribute, writing, “Love to u, cleto and his whole family.”
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Wanda Skyes
“Heartbreaking,” the comedian posted. “So, very sorry.”
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Jeffrey Ross
The comedian commented, “Love you Love to his incredible family.”
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The Seinfeld star shared her condolences on Jimmy’s remembrance, writing, “Oh no. I’m so so sorry.”
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Ike Barinholtz
“So sorry man,” the Studio star added on Jimmy’s post. “Love you Cleto.”
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