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Cleto Escobedo, 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Band Leader, Dead at 59
Jimmy Kimmel is honoring his late bandleader Cleto Escobedo III.
The comedian dedicated his latest monologue to his best friend—who had led the Jimmy Kimmel Live! band since the show premiered in 2003 and who Jimmy had known since he was nine years old—just hours after sharing that he'd passed away at the age of 59.
"We've been on the air for almost 23 years and I've had to do some hard monologues along the way," Jimmy began the Nov. 11 episode of his late-night show, "but this one's the hardest because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young to go, and I’d like to tell you about him. If you don’t mind."
The 57-year-old went on to recall growing up on the same block as Cleto in Las Vegas and shared fond memories of their childhood together.
"We had so many adventures. We would laugh so hard," he shared. "We had our own language that almost no one else understood. We didn't even have to say anything. We would sit here in rehearsal every day. We didn't have to look at each other."
Jimmy also detailed Cleto's career as a musician, which involved him playing saxophone for Paula Abdul before the comic got the opportunity to have his own talk show and wanted Cleto to lead his house band.
"The idea that anyone other than him would lead the band was terrifying. It had to be him," Jimmy remembered. "I had to work up the nerve to bring it up because I knew 'my best friend from growing up plays the saxophone, he could lead the band,’ didn’t sound good."
Ultimately Cleto nabbed the gig—as did his father, who has played in Jimmy's band since 2003—which meant that the childhood best friends have "been working together every day for almost 23 years."
"Everyone here at the show we are devastated by this," Jimmy said through tears. "It’s just not fair. He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person."
He ended the monologue by showing love to Cleto's parents, who were in the studio during his emotional tribute, before sharing that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be off the air for a bit during this difficult time.
"I want to thank Cleto's parents Cleto and Sylvia for making him and for sharing him with me and with all of us and for treating me like their own son always," Jimmy said. "Cherish your friends. We're not here forever. Thank you for indulging me. We're going to take the next couple of nights off, but I wanted to be here tonight to tell you about my friend."
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After Cleto's passing, many stars expressed their condolences and honored him on social media. Keep reading for more tributes...
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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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