Jimmy Kimmel Mourns Childhood Friend and Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III, Takes Break from Show
Jimmy Kimmel announced the passing of his childhood friend and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, at 59 due to liver transplant complications, leading Kimmel to take a break from his show.
Overview
- Cleto Escobedo III, the esteemed bandleader for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and a professional saxophonist, passed away at 59 due to complications from a liver transplant.
- Jimmy Kimmel announced the profound loss of his childhood friend on social media and delivered an emotional monologue, describing Escobedo as the nicest, most humble, and always funny person.
- Kimmel and Escobedo III, childhood friends from Las Vegas, became close, with Kimmel advocating for him to lead the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" band since 2002.
- Escobedo III was a phenomenal saxophonist from a young age, touring with major acts like Earth, Wind and Fire and Paula Abdul, showcasing his significant musical talent.
- Following the heartfelt tribute, Jimmy Kimmel announced he would be taking time off from his late-night show to mourn the loss of his dear friend and colleague.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally, focusing on reporting the facts of Cleto Escobedo III's death and Jimmy Kimmel's emotional tribute. They provide biographical details about Escobedo's life and career, and his long-standing friendship with Kimmel, without injecting editorial bias or loaded language into their descriptions, maintaining an objective tone.
"Cleto was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person."
NPR"Kimmel went on to say that while "I'm heartbroken to lose him, I'm going to take yet another lesson from him and acknowledge how lucky I was to have him literally at my side for so many years.""
USA TODAY"Telling this story brought Kimmel to tears, and he pointed out Cleto’s mom, Sylvia, in the audience."
USA TODAY"Kimmel opened the show by saying, “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 will… This one’s the hardest because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was too young to go.”"
Deadline"Kimmel said they were going to take a couple of nights off, but wanted to be there to remember his friend."
Deadline"The late-night talk show host mourned the death of one of his oldest friends — whom he met when he was 9 years old — writing on Instagram that "[t]o say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.""
CBS News"The loss of Cleto Escobedo III has left a profound sense of heartbreak among those who knew him."
USA TODAY"Kimmel announced Escobedo’s death Tuesday on Instagram, saying “that we are heartbroken is an understatement.”"
Associated Press"The longtime musical director of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Cleto Escobedo III, has died at the age of 59."
Deadline"To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement."
ABC News"The news comes after Kimmel postponed a show taping last week for a “personal matter.”"
NBC NewsArticles (21)
Center (11)
FAQ
Cleto Escobedo III was a renowned professional saxophonist and bandleader known for his vibrant performances. He toured with major artists such as Phillip Bailey from Earth, Wind & Fire, Paula Abdul, and Marc Anthony, and led the house band Cleto and the Cletones on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" from its start in 2003 until his death in 2025. He was also involved in co-writing the show's theme music and collaborated with other notable late-night TV bandleaders.
Cleto Escobedo III died at age 59 due to complications related to a liver transplant. His death was publicly announced by Jimmy Kimmel, who mourned the loss of his childhood friend and longtime bandleader.
Cleto Escobedo III led the house band Cleto and the Cletones on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" from the show’s inception in 2003 until his death in 2025, performing for approximately 22 years.
Cleto Escobedo III learned to play the saxophone at a young age under his father's guidance. His father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., was also a professional musician who temporarily gave up his career to raise Cleto III. The family’s musical background deeply influenced his career path, and both father and son later performed together on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Following the death of Cleto Escobedo III, Jimmy Kimmel announced he would take a break from hosting "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to mourn the loss of his friend and bandleader, highlighting the personal and professional impact of Escobedo’s passing.
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