Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and a childhood friend of the late-night host, died on Tuesday at the age of 59, Kimmel announced.
According to Page Six, the musician “had complications stemming from a liver transplant.” An official cause of death has not been made public.
The Context
Escobedo’s death marks the loss of a significant figure in American late-night television. The Las Vegas native’s personal and professional history with Kimmel shaped the tone of the show’s two-decade run.
(L) Cleto Escobedo III in Las Vegas, Nevada, in February. (R) Jimmy Kimmel in New York City in August. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images/ Valerie Terranova/W… | Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Valerie Terranova/WireImage
What To Know
Kimmel revealed Escobedo’s death in a heartfelt tribute posted to Instagram on Tuesday.
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel said.
“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.”
Escobedo had served as bandleader on Jimmy Kimmel Live! since its debut in 2003, performing alongside his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr. Escobedo and Kimmel’s friendship dated back to their childhood in Las Vegas, where the two grew up across the street from one another and bonded over comedy and music.
Before joining Kimmel’s late-night show, Escobedo was an accomplished saxophonist, working with artists such as Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony, Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, Tom Scott, and Take 6. When Kimmel was offered his show, he requested Escobedo as bandleader for their unique personal and professional chemistry, a decision welcomed by the show’s network executives.
What People Are Saying
Kimmel fought back tears while speaking about Escobedo in his Jimmy Kimmel Live! opening monologue on Tuesday: “We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to do some hard monologues along the way, but this one’s the hardest. Early this morning we lost someone very special, who was much too young to go, and I’d like to tell you about him. He would call me. He’d send me notes all the time, big stuff, little stuff, whatever, telling me, ‘Oh, this was so funny. I love this. I’m proud of you. I’m so happy that we get to be together all the time.’ He would tell me how lucky he was. He was just a great older brother. No baggage, all love. There’s no one in my life I felt more comfortable with. Always cherish your friends. We’re not here forever.”
SiriusXM host Eric Alper wrote on Facebook:”A gifted musician, loving father, and joyful spirit who made late-night TV feel like family.”
Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist John Katsilometes wrote on X: “Shaken to have learned Cleto Escobedo III has died. Jimmy Kimmel’s longtime friend and bandleader of Cleto and the Cletones on Jimmy Kimmel Live, son of Vegas entertainment icon Cleto Escobedo Jr. was 59. Escobedo was away from the show since the summer. Kimmel had stepped away from the show over the past week.”
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