Jimmy Kimmel’s bandleader, and childhood friend, Cleto Escobedo III died on Tuesday morning, Kimmel announced on social media.
Escobedo, who led the band Cleto and the Cletones on Kimmel’s show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was 59.
No cause of death was provided.
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” wrote Kimmel in an Instagram post on Tuesday. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old.”
Cleto Escobedo III attends the annual Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” gala benefit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health honoring Jimmy Kimmel at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Kimmel continued, “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.”
Kimmel reflected on his relationship with Escobedo in a 2016 segment celebrating Escobedo’s 50th birthday.
He explained he met Escobedo in 1977 after moving to Las Vegas, when Escobedo became his neighbor. In the birthday tribute, Kimmel discussed his early relationship with Escobedo, and shared photos of the pair in their youth.
In a 2021 interview with “Jimmy Kimmel Live’s” Guillermo, Escobedo discussed his rise to working on Kimmel’s show.
“I think I was in Atlanta, and Jimmy called and said ‘Hey man, I think I’m gonna have this show. Do you wanna be my bandleader?’ Of course I was like ‘Yes.’’” Escobedo said. “It’s been the best gig ever.”
ABC News has reached out to a representative for Kimmel.
