Jimmy Kimmel Mourns Cleto Escobedo III: It’s Just Not Fair

Jimmy Kimmel Live! will pause taping for the rest of the week as the show mourns Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader of the house band Cleto and the Cletones and a cherished friend of the host. The news of Escobedo’s death at 59 prompted a deeply personal moment on air, with Kimmel breaking down as he spoke about a friendship that stretched back to their childhood in Las Vegas. He described Escobedo as more than a bandleader; he was a constant presence in his life and in the studio for nearly two decades, a man who helped shape the rhythm and heart of the late-night program.

Kimmel opened a segment with memories from their shared past, recalling a move to a Las Vegas subdivision in 1979 and the boy who lived across the street. He spoke of their friendship growing from games and laughter into a lifelong bond, recounting how Escobedo, then a neighbor and friend, became the person who would later help shape the soundtrack of the show. He described staying over at Escobedo’s house on countless nights, noting how they would fill evenings with laughter, language only they understood, and a sense of mischief that defined their youth. In a touching moment, Kimmel recalled how Escobedo saw him as something special long before fame, a memory that underscored the depth of their friendship.

Escobedo led the Cleto and the Cletones since the show’s 2003 premiere, becoming synonymous with the energy and warmth that accompanied many late-night moments. The host’s monologue offered a portrait of a man who was not only a musician but a father, a son, and a steadfast friend. In sharing the loss, Kimmel spoke of the pain of saying goodbye to someone who was “much too young” and acknowledged the difficulty of delivering a tribute that could truly capture Escobedo’s impact. The show has announced a pause in production for the rest of the week as colleagues and viewers alike process the heartbreak and celebrate the enduring legacy of a man who supported Kimmel from the very start and helped shape a beloved late-night tradition.

As fans, friends, and colleagues absorb the news, the memories of Cleto Escobedo III live on through the music, the stories, and the countless moments of laughter that defined a friendship that began on a Vegas street and grew into an extraordinary career together.

Cover image source: Jimmy Kimmel’s Lifelong Friend and “Jimmy Kimmel Live! ”Band Leader Cleto Escobedo Dies at 59: 'We Are Heartbroken' 🔗

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