Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is mourning an unimaginable loss that has left both his heart and the late-night television world reeling. His best friend since childhood — the irreplaceable heart and soul of Jimmy Kimmel Live! — Cleto Escobedo III, has passed away at the age of 59, leaving behind a legacy of music, laughter, and lifelong friendship that touched millions.
Kimmel shared the devastating news on Instagram on Tuesday, November 11, posting a heartfelt tribute that reflected the depth of their bond:
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. 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.”
A Friendship Forged in Childhood
Cleto wasn’t just Kimmel’s bandleader — he was a partner in mischief, music, and life. The two first met as children growing up in Las Vegas, and their instant connection revolved around humor, music, and an endless appetite for playful antics. Their bond quickly became legendary.
In a 2015 birthday segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel recalled some of their early adventures:
“Cleto had a bicycle with a sidecar attached to it. We called it the side hack. I would get in the sidecar and then Cleto would drive me directly into garbage cans and bushes. It was terrifying and hilarious at the same time.”
As they grew older, their pranks became bolder. Kimmel once joked, “Cleto would quietly, in the back, slip out of his pants and moon people from the back of our car. He had no shame, and I loved every second of it.”
Their shared mischief was more than just fun — it cemented a lifelong friendship that would later shape the very identity of one of late-night television’s most enduring shows.
From Las Vegas Dreams to Late-Night History
When Jimmy Kimmel Live! debuted in 2003, Kimmel knew that only one person could serve as his musical director.
“It had to be Cleto,” he told ABC7, recalling how he convinced the network to hire his childhood best friend. “I was nervous because I thought they’d say, ‘We don’t want your friend to be the bandleader.’ So I took the president of ABC to see him play with his band — and he loved it.”
That decision defined the show’s sound, personality, and energy. For more than 20 years, Cleto and his band, Cleto and the Cletones, brought a distinctive blend of rhythm, humor, and musical brilliance to the stage, while his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., played saxophone alongside him.
“I’m in seventh heaven every night,” Cleto Sr. once said. “I’m playing music with my son on a show with my other son. There’s not another father-and-son duo on late-night TV.”
A Life Steeped in Music
Born on August 23, 1966, in Las Vegas, Cleto Escobedo III grew up in a family where music was not just present but central to life itself. “There was music everywhere,” he once said in a 2024 interview. “I remember my dad playing in Hawaii when I was 5. I used to tear up watching him perform — I was so moved by the music.”
By the time he reached college, Cleto was performing on the Las Vegas Strip. His exceptional talent soon led him to international tours with artists such as Paula Abdul, Earth, Wind & Fire, Luis Miguel, and Marc Anthony. But nothing compared to the opportunity to reunite with his childhood friend in a career-defining role on late-night television.
“When ABC offered me my show, I prayed that they’d let me hire Cleto,” Kimmel told Variety. “And to my amazement, they agreed, sight unseen.”
A Legacy of Music, Laughter, and Friendship
For over two decades, Cleto Escobedo III was far more than the musical director of Jimmy Kimmel Live! — he was the heartbeat of the show. His infectious energy, impeccable talent, and unwavering friendship with Kimmel became part of the DNA of the program, shaping its identity and ensuring every performance had warmth, rhythm, and humor.
Kimmel’s tribute captures the essence of their extraordinary connection:
“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 have imagined would come true.”
Cleto Escobedo III leaves behind his devoted wife Lori, his beloved children Cruz and Jesse, and his parents. Millions of fans who watched him perform on stage, on TV, and in the hearts of those who knew him personally will remember his warmth, his laughter, and the music that seemed to flow naturally from his soul.
Though his rhythm may have come to an end, his harmony continues to live on — in every note he played, every prank he shared, and every friendship he inspired. His life serves as a testament to the transformative power of music, the enduring value of friendship, and the joy that comes from dedicating oneself fully to the art and the people we love.