LDT “Jimmy Kimmel Breaks Down in Tears Honoring Late Friend and Bandleader Cleto Escobedo: “It’s Just Not Fair””
In an emotional opening to Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel fought back tears as he paid tribute to his longtime friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, who passed away unexpectedly over the weekend.
Kimmel, visibly shaken, began the show by saying, “It’s hard to do this without him. It’s just not fair.” The studio audience sat in stunned silence as he spoke, his voice cracking several times while recalling their three decades of friendship — one that began long before fame.
“Cleto wasn’t just the soul of this show. He was my brother. We grew up together, dreamed together, and somehow got to live those dreams side by side,” Kimmel said, holding back tears.
Escobedo, who served as the musical director and saxophonist since Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered in 2003, was beloved for his warmth, humor, and musicianship. His father, Cleto Escobedo Sr., also frequently appeared on the show, becoming part of the extended Kimmel family.
Throughout the tribute, clips played showing Escobedo’s infectious laughter, his musical brilliance, and the countless on-air moments that captured his joyful energy. Kimmel ended the segment by saying, “We’ll never fill the space he leaves behind, but we’ll keep playing — because that’s what Cleto would have wanted.”
Fans and fellow entertainers flooded social media with condolences, calling Escobedo “the heartbeat of late-night television.”
