Jimmy Kimmel Honors His Childhood Best Friend and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III with an Emotional On-Air Tribute
On Tuesday night, November 11, 2025, television took a rare, emotional turn when late-night host Jimmy Kimmel stood before his audience in tears, delivering one of the most heartfelt monologues of his career. The host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! opened the show visibly shaken, mourning the loss of his lifelong friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, who had passed away earlier that day at age 59.
The emotional tribute began with Kimmel’s voice trembling as he addressed the audience. “We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to do some hard monologues along the way,” he said. “But this one’s the hardest, because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young.” His words, heavy with sorrow, set the tone for an evening that departed from the laughter and light-hearted humor viewers had come to expect from his late-night stage.
Kimmel described Escobedo not only as a colleague but as “a great friend, father, son, musician, and man.” Their friendship, he explained, went back more than five decades—to their childhood days in Las Vegas. “We met when I was nine,” Kimmel recalled, “and we’ve been inseparable ever since.” That connection, spanning from childhood dreams to global fame, became the heart of the night’s tribute.
In an emotional reflection, Kimmel described the summer when he practically lived at Escobedo’s house, sleeping over for 33 consecutive nights. “His parents eventually said, ‘You might as well move in,’” he joked through tears, briefly smiling through the grief. It was a friendship rooted in laughter, mischief, and unconditional loyalty.
When Kimmel launched Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2003, he didn’t hesitate when it came to choosing a bandleader. “I called Cleto,” he said. “It wasn’t a question.” Together, they formed Cleto and the Cletones—a band that would become a defining part of the show’s sound and identity. Escobedo’s father, Cleto Escobedo Sr., also joined the production, appearing regularly in comedic segments, symbolizing the familial bond between the two men. “The fact that we got to work together every day,” Kimmel said, pausing to wipe his eyes, “is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true.”
The broadcast that evening was unusually quiet. The audience, typically laughing and clapping through the show’s opening, remained still. Kimmel’s grief was raw, his delivery slow and deliberate. “It’s just not fair,” he said softly, a sentiment echoed by millions watching at home.
Cleto Escobedo III had been a fixture on Jimmy Kimmel Live! since its debut, leading the show’s house band and setting the tone for two decades of live television. Before that, Escobedo had an extensive career as a musician, touring with artists such as Paula Abdul and Marc Anthony. Known for his soulful saxophone and joyful stage presence, he was admired as much for his kindness and humility as for his musical talent.
In his Instagram post earlier that day, Kimmel had written, “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I 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. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children, and parents in your prayers.”
Escobedo’s passing came as a shock to the entertainment community. Although no official cause of death has been released, sources close to the show said he had been battling health issues in recent months. The news prompted tributes from fans, musicians, and celebrities across the industry.
One of the most moving came from Sheila E., the renowned drummer and longtime friend of Escobedo, who tearfully honored him in an interview. “Cleto was one of the kindest souls I ever met,” she said. “He brought light wherever he went. Working with him was pure joy, and his laughter could change the energy in any room.”
During the broadcast, Kimmel took a moment to acknowledge Escobedo’s impact on the crew and the show itself. “He was the heart of this place,” he said. “He loved music, he loved his family, and he loved making people happy. Every day, he came in here with a smile that made everything better.”
The network announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would take a brief hiatus following the tribute to give the host, the band, and the staff time to grieve. The production team confirmed that all scheduled tapings for November 12 and 13 had been canceled.
Kimmel’s heartfelt message resonated with fans beyond television. Social media platforms filled with messages of support and remembrance, as fans shared clips of Escobedo performing, laughing, and interacting with guests on the show. Many noted how the chemistry between Kimmel and Escobedo had always felt genuine, a rare friendship in the entertainment world that transcended work.
In reflecting on their early days, Kimmel shared stories from their youth that painted a picture of two dreamers who never imagined their friendship would one day unfold before millions of viewers. “We used to watch late-night shows and joke that we’d have one someday,” he said. “But we didn’t think it would actually happen. And then it did.”
Even as he struggled to speak, Kimmel made sure to celebrate Escobedo’s spirit, recalling how his friend’s humor persisted even in difficult times. “Cleto always found something to laugh about,” he said. “He could make me laugh harder than anyone else. And even when things weren’t easy, he’d say, ‘We’ve got this, man.’ That’s who he was.”
The loss struck a deep chord in Hollywood, where few relationships endure the way theirs had. For two decades, their partnership defined a kind of authenticity that bridged fame and friendship. It was clear that for Kimmel, Escobedo was more than a colleague—he was family.
As the broadcast drew to a close, Kimmel’s eyes welled again. He looked into the camera and offered one last message: “I want to thank everyone for loving him the way we did. And if you’re lucky enough to have a friend like Cleto, hold on tight.” The screen faded to black, followed by a montage of Escobedo performing over the years — smiling behind his saxophone, laughing during sketches, and exchanging knowing looks with Kimmel that spoke louder than words.
The tribute will be remembered as one of the most poignant moments in late-night television history — a reminder that beneath the jokes and celebrity interviews are human connections that outlive the applause.
In the days following, tributes continued pouring in from friends and colleagues. Fellow talk-show hosts expressed their condolences, while musicians credited Escobedo for inspiring their careers. “He wasn’t just part of the show,” one former Jimmy Kimmel Live! producer said. “He was the soul of it.”
Though his passing leaves an empty space on the stage, Cleto Escobedo’s spirit — and his friendship with Jimmy Kimmel — remains an enduring symbol of loyalty, laughter, and love. Their story is one of rare devotion in an industry built on fleeting fame. And as Kimmel himself said through tears, “We never imagined we’d get to do this together. It was a dream come true.”
The lights of Jimmy Kimmel Live! will shine again soon, but for now, the stage belongs to silence — and to the memory of a friendship that changed two lives and touched millions.
