LDT “Jimmy Kimmel Mourns the Loss of His Lifelong Friend and Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III”
Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and a lifelong friend of host Jimmy Kimmel, has died at the age of 59.
ABC confirmed the news on Tuesday, and Kimmel later paid tribute to Escobedo in an emotional message on social media, calling him “a great friend, father, son, musician, and man.”
A Friendship That Lasted a Lifetime
Kimmel and Escobedo’s bond stretched back nearly five decades. The two met as children growing up in Las Vegas, forming a friendship that would eventually follow them onto one of television’s biggest stages. When Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered in 2003, Kimmel insisted that his childhood friend lead the show’s house band, Cleto and the Cletones.
“We were inseparable from the time I was nine years old,” Kimmel wrote. “I can’t imagine doing the show without him — and I can’t imagine my life without him.”
A Musician’s Journey
Before joining late-night television, Escobedo toured with artists including Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony, and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Phillip Bailey. Known for his soulful saxophone and easygoing humor, he brought warmth and rhythm to Jimmy Kimmel Live! every night.
He performed alongside his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., who often appeared with the band — a rare and touching father-son partnership in network television.
A Sudden Goodbye
An episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! was unexpectedly canceled days before his death due to what producers called a “personal matter.” News later emerged that Escobedo had been battling health complications following a liver transplant. The exact cause of death has not yet been made public.
His passing left both the show’s crew and its audience in mourning. Fans and fellow musicians flooded social media with memories of Escobedo’s kindness, humor, and infectious spirit.
A Legacy of Music and Friendship
Cleto Escobedo III’s presence on Jimmy Kimmel Live! was more than musical — it was emotional. His laughter, quick wit, and bond with Kimmel became part of the show’s heart.
“Cherish your friends,” Kimmel urged in his post. “And please keep Cleto’s wife, children, and parents in your prayers.”
Escobedo is survived by his wife, Lori, their two children, and his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the entertainment world, one thing is clear: Cleto’s legacy will live on — in every melody, every late-night laugh, and in the lifelong friendship that defined him.
