Jimmy Kimmel is mourning the loss of his lifelong friend, Cleto Escobedo III, the leader of the Cleto and the Cletones, the house band on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Escobedo tragically passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the age of 59, Kimmel announced in an Instagram post. This comes after the late-night host postponed his show on Nov. 6 due to a “personal matter.”
The cause of death was not released.
Kimmel and Escobedo grew up across the street from one another in Las Vegas, so when the late-night host first got his show, he made sure that it was Escobedo providing the live music on the show since it first premiered in 2003.
Jimmy Kimmel is ‘Heartbroken’ Over Cleto Escobedo’s Passing
Kimmel shared a post on Nov. 11 announcing the news.
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel wrote. “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 Cletoâs wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
Many comments were left after Kimmel’s sentiments.
“So sorry to hear this Jimmy. He was AWESOME. Love to his family,” actor Eric Stonestreet wrote.
“â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ love to u, cleto and his whole family,” Johnny Knoxville commented.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Was Abruptly Postponed On Nov. 6
Ahead of the taping for the Thursday, November 6, show, ticket holders were abruptly informed that it was canceled, the New York Post reported. The episode was set to include actor David Duchovny, âStranger Thingsâ star Joe Keery and singer Madison Beer.
âDue to unforeseen circumstances, @jimmykimmellive needed to reschedule my performance that was originally scheduled to air tonight to a later date,â Beer wrote in a post that same day, confirming the news.
Entertainment Weekly later confirmed that it was due to a “personal matter” involving Kimmel.
The Father-Son Duo in Cleto and the Cletones
Escobedo’s father, Cleto Escobado Sr. is also a member of Cleto and the Cletones, playing tenor and alto saxophones.
In January 2022, Escobedo shared a photo of himself alongside his dad to celebrate nearly 20 years of playing together and performing on television.
“19 years of this!! Love ya Dad,” he wrote.
The post Jimmy Kimmel’s Lifelong Friend & Band Leader Tragically Passes Away at 59 appeared first on EntertainmentNow.