âJimmy Kimmel Liveâ is paying tribute to a beloved member of its family. After longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III’s tragic passing on November 11, the late-night show officially shortened the house bandâs name from Cleto and the Cletones to the Cletones.
The new title card premiered during Mondayâs broadcast, the first time in the showâs 23-year history that the band appeared with its updated name.
Kimmel Announces the Loss of His Childhood Friend
Kimmel confirmed Escobedoâs death in an emotional Instagram post on Monday. âEarly this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician, and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,â he wrote.
âTo 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.â
Escobedo, a respected saxophone player, formed Cleto and the Cletones in 1995. When ABC ordered âJimmy Kimmel Liveâ in 2003, Kimmel immediately brought his childhood friend to the show. The band also featured Escobedoâs father, Cleto Escobedo Jr.
Jimmy Kimmelâs sister Jill is also grieving the loss of Cleto Escobedo.
Jill honored him with her own tribute on Sunday, November 16, posting a photo of a memorial featuring his framed portrait, a wreath, and glowing candles.
âI keep forgetting that youâve moved on from here,â she wrote. âBut Iâll never forget how much I loved you. Itâs been a beautiful life with you in it, Cleto. Rest well, my brother. ð.â
Kimmel Breaks Down on Air as the Show Pauses Production
Kimmel reflected again during his monologue on the Nov. 11 broadcast, speaking to viewers through visible heartbreak. âEveryone loves Cleto,â he said. âEveryone here at the show. We are devastated by this. Itâs not⦠Itâs just not fair.â
Following the announcement, the show paused production on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 out of respect for Escobedo. âJimmy Kimmel Liveâ returned on Nov. 14 for its final episode of the week.
Escobedoâs Death Comes During Tense Moment for Late-Night TV
Escobedoâs passing has been a heavy blow to Kimmel and the showâs staff. The longtime bandleader was a beloved presence behind the scenes, and his loss has been deeply felt.
Kimmel told viewers that the team was taking time to support each other and reflect on Escobedoâs influence on the show.
He stressed that paying tribute to Escobedo was at the heart of this weekâs return.
The post ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Makes MAJOR Change for the First Time in 23 Years to Honor Late Cleto Escobedo appeared first on EntertainmentNow.